Western United Dairymen CEO Michael Marsh today testified in Sacramento in favor of a temporary price increase on the Class 4b formula for Class 4b milk solids-not-fat - -  thirteen and eight tenth cents ($0.138) per pound. Marsh in his testimony at the CDFA hearing said, “The impact of our proposed change would result in an approximate 50 cent increase in the overbase price. While this is not enough to recoup the immense losses incurred in the recent past, it will not only help bridge the gap between cost of production and milk revenues; it will provide a much needed closer relationship between Class III and Class 4b prices. The temporary increase proposed for Class 4b is to get to what the producer side of the industry has been advocating for almost three years: a fair pool value from cheese making revenues.” To read WUD’s entire testimony, please click here.  May 20, 2013 WUD News

The Western United Dairymen Board of Directors at its meeting Friday afternoon unanimously supported a motion to move the Farm Bill forward. The Board again directed staff to continue work on a dairy title that will benefit California dairy families. The Board also noted that included in the House version of the Farm Bill passed out of committee was a revised version of an amendment offered by Representative Steve King (R-Iowa) that had been offered in Committee mark-up last summer. Rep. King’s original amendment offered last summer would have jeopardized California’s ability to enforce its higher nutritional standards for fluid milk. The Board appreciated that Rep. King had reached out to WUD to resolve the negative impact his original amendment would have had on California dairy families. The Senate version of the Farm Bill is scheduled for debate on the Senate floor on Monday, May 20. House leadership plans for the Farm Bill to be on its floor for debate next month. Following passage from each chamber, the differing versions will move to a conference committee to be reconciled. No date has been set for conference. May 17, 2013 Friday Update

The Goodlatte-Scott amendment was the first amendment defeated when the House Ag Committee started markup of its version of the 2013 Farm Bill, May 15, according to Bob Gray, with the Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperative. U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and David Scott (D-Ga.) joined in offering the amendment, which would have stripped the Market Stabilization provision from the Dairy Security Act. Goodlatte/Scott went down to defeat, 26-20. The amendment would have removed Subtitle D Part I (Dairy Producer Margin Protection and Dairy Market Stabilization Programs) and replaced it with a stand-alone "Dairy Producer Margin Insurance Program." Six Republicans on the Committee joined 20 Democrats to vote against the amendment. (more) May 15, 2013  DairyBusiness Update

By Anthony P. Raimondo

All employers in the United States must use the new I-9 form for all new hires beginning in May 2013.  Employers are not required to complete new forms for employees who are already working, but must use the new form for all new hires.  To download the instructions for employment eligbility verification, please click here.

The form makes mostly cosmetic changes, but does require some additional information that was not required on the previous form.  Most significant, the list of acceptable documents for employment eligibility verification has not changed.  There is also a new Handbook for Employers (M-274) that answers common I-9 questions.  

Critical steps to I-9 compliance are as follows:

1.    Take your time!  Many employers rush through the form and do not fill it out completely or correctly.  Make sure you have read the instructions, and understand how to fill out the form.  Make sure you give the employee a copy of the instructions when you give them a copy of the form – it is required by law.

2.    Section 1 must be filled out after the employee is hired, but before the employee performs any work.  If anyone helps the employee with that section, make sure that person signs the Preparer/Translator certification.  Review Section 1 after the employee fills it out to make sure it is completed correctly.  

3.    Make sure you know how to fill out Section 2 of the form.  It must be completed within 3 business days of hire.  List A documents show a person’s identity AND their eligibility to work in the U.S.  If the worker has a List A document like a U.S. Passport or a Permanent Resident Alien card, they do not need to produce other documents.  If they offer additional documents, simply return them to the employee and inform the employee that they are not needed.  A List B document shows identity only, like a drivers’ license.  List C documents show eligibility to work but not identity, like a Social Security card or certified Birth Certificate.  You must record one document from List A OR one from List B AND one form List C.

4.    All documents must be current on hire, but you do not have to reverify the I-9 when a Permanent Resident Alien card expires.

5.    The I-9 is available in Spanish, but the Spanish form may only be used in Puerto Rico.  Employers in California should not use it.

6.    Periodically review and audit your I-9s to ensure you remain in compliance.

The goal of this article is to provide employers with current labor and employment information.  The contents should not be interpreted or construed as legal advice or opinion.  For individual responses to questions or concerns regarding any given situation, the reader should consult with Anthony Raimondo at McCormick Barstow LLP in Fresno at (559) 353-2270.