Labor Secretary Sonderling Tours Merced County
The U.S. Labor Secretary visited California as the Department of Labor works to finalize revised H-2A farmworker wage regulations.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Unions
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Should federal agricultural wage rules prioritize farmworker earnings over the cost of hiring for farmers?
U.S. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling visited Merced County, California, during a two-day tour of the state. The visit comes as the Department of Labor moves to replace wage rules found unlawful by a federal judge.
Why it matters
The Department of Labor must rewrite its agricultural wage calculation methods after a federal judge struck down previous regulations in August. Farmers had argued that the prior requirements made hiring local labor unsustainable.
The Department of Labor must submit a status update on the revised wage regulation by October 22, with a final deadline to implement replacement rules set for December 30.
The players
Keith Sonderling
He serves as the U.S. Labor Secretary.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer
She previously served as the Labor Secretary before resigning from the position.
The details
Secretary Keith Sonderling toured the region during his two-day visit to California. His department is currently working to comply with the court mandate that requires the agency to develop replacement rules following the August ruling.
Timeline
August 2026: A federal judge ruled portions of the wage regulation unlawful.
October 19, 2026: Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling visited Merced County.
October 22, 2026: The Department of Labor is due to provide a status update on the wage rule.
December 30, 2026: The deadline to finalize and replace the wage rules.
Political Context
The push to rewrite the H-2A agricultural minimum wage calculation methods follows a federal court order that declared previous regulatory standards unlawful. Farmers and industry advocates continue to push back against the prior framework, arguing that wage mandates were unsustainable for hiring local labor.
The upcoming regulatory changes directly impact farm employers and agricultural workers who rely on H-2A wage guidelines. These shifts may change payroll costs for farmers and potential earnings for laborers across the country.
The takeaway
The Department of Labor is currently navigating a strict timeline to balance court mandates with the operational needs of the agricultural sector. Stakeholders should monitor the October 22 status update for details on how the new wage calculations will be structured.
What happens next
The Department of Labor is scheduled to provide a status update on the revised wage rule on October 22, 2026, followed by a final deadline to replace the rules on December 30, 2026.
Further reading
For more context on ongoing labor policy developments, visit the Unions section.
Live Poll
Should federal agricultural wage rules prioritize farmworker earnings over the cost of hiring for farmers?
