American Sugar Cane League Secures Settlement In U.S. Department Of Labor Wage Rule Lawsuit

By Cheryl Michelet

American Sugar Cane League

The American Sugar Cane League announced that it has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor in its lawsuit challenging the 2023 guest worker wage rule.

The outcome vacates the rule nationwide, eliminating costly and unrealistic wage classifications that have severely burdened farm operators across the country.

The League filed the suit on behalf of its members, which make up nearly the entirety of Louisiana’s sugar industry, after the Department of Labor issued a rule that reclassified farm workers into categories that do not reflect the reality of farm operations. That change caused significant increases in wage rates paid to guest workers under the H-2A program. By law, farmers can only use H-2A workers when domestic labor is unavailable for these jobs, making the program essential to sustaining agricultural operations.

“Guest worker programs are critical to Louisiana’s sugarcane industry. The workers we are fortunate to welcome back each year have become part of farm families here, and the income they earn provides for a significantly better standard of living in their home countries,” said Jim Simon, General Manager of the American Sugar Cane League. “This settlement represents a huge win not only for Louisiana cane farmers and millers but for every farmer in America. The Department of Labor’s decision to vacate the 2023 rule eliminates an onerous burden that threatened the sustainability of farms nationwide.”

The ruling will provide Louisiana’s sugar industry with significant savings during the 2025 harvest season by reducing hauling costs alone, with benefits extending to farm operations nationwide.

Simon expressed appreciation for the League’s legal counsel. “We are grateful for the outstanding work of the Phelps Dunbar legal team, led by Walt Green and Brandon Davis. Their expertise and commitment were instrumental in achieving this result.”

The American Sugar Cane League has long been recognized as a leader in agricultural advocacy and takes pride in advancing policies that support the economic viability of Louisiana’s cane farmers and millers while also contributing to the sustainability of farm operations across the United States.