ALRB reports multiple farmworker settlements, administrative orders and outreach
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Summary
The Agricultural Labor Relations Board reported several recent settlements in the strawberry and citrus industries, disclosed administrative orders (ALRB admin orders 2026-02 and 2026-03) and highlighted staff outreach across Central Coast and southern counties.
The Agricultural Labor Relations Board on April 15 reported a string of settlements and administrative actions resolving alleged unfair labor practices in the state's agricultural sector and described ongoing outreach to farmworkers.
Executive Officer Satya Santiago told the board that three complaints had been settled since March 4, citing Red Blossom Farms (Santa Barbara County), Healthy Harvest Berries (Monterey County) and Sorrento Berry Farms (Ventura County). “There have been 3 complaints settled since March 4,” Santiago said, and she provided case numbers for Red Blossom (2024CE003) and Healthy Harvest (2024CE018).
General Counsel Julie Montgomery provided details on Region 1 resolutions, saying Sorrento Berry Farms agreed to pay the charging party $14,332 and to make a $1,500 civil-penalty payment; Red Blossom Farms’ settlement included $66,925 to workers for unpaid wages and payment in lieu of reinstatement plus standard nonmonetary remedies. Montgomery said Healthy Harvest agreed on April 10 to pay $18,000 and accept standard nonmonetary remedies.
Montgomery also described settlements reached through pre-complaint negotiation: KEM Farm agreed to offer reinstatement to two workers and to permit ALRB-led supervisor training and standard noticing; EatSweet Farms (a community-filed charge) reached a settlement including standard notice and mailing remedies. Montgomery said Finch Farms (Ventura County) agreed to reinstate at least one charging party, pay $6,855 in back pay (for the charging party and three other workers) and allow ALRB-conducted supervisor training.
Santiago and Montgomery also briefed the board on recent administrative orders. Santiago said the board issued ALRB admin order 2026-02 (Red Blossom Farms Inc.) and ALRB admin order 2026-03 (Ocean Mist Farms); she reminded members that board decisions and administrative orders are published on the ALRB website.
Montgomery emphasized the agency’s outreach work, listing office hours and tabling events across Riverside, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Fresno counties and partnerships with community organizations to inform workers about rights and the board’s complaint processes.
The board received the reports with no questions and recessed to closed session. The board’s next public meeting is scheduled for April 22 in Sacramento and via Zoom.
