Oct 30, 2024
Court to hear lawsuit against Labor Department’s Rule

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky will hold a hearing on Nov. 4 at 9:00 a.m. ET, regarding a lawsuit filed by the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) and several agricultural associations. The lawsuit challenges the Department of Labor’s Final Rule aimed at improving protections for temporary agricultural workers, which the NCAE claims is unconstitutional.

“This Rule unequivocally and unlawfully violates the rights of America’s farmers and ranchers by stripping employers of the due process rights afforded to them by the Constitution,” said Michael Marsh, NCAE president and CEO.

In August, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia issued a preliminary injunction against the Rule, impacting several states, but leaving others vulnerable. The Department of Labor announced on September 10 it would process applications under the Rule starting September 12.

NCAE filed the Kentucky lawsuit to expand protections for farmers nationwide. The organization aims to ensure farmers can focus on producing food without burdensome regulations.