Bob Ferguson, Washington State Attorney General has intervened in a case alleging discrimination by Ostrom Mushroom Farms at their Sunnyside Farm. The company replaced 80 percent of employees, predominantly women, with H-2A male workers.  It was alleged that the Ostrom imposed an unrealistic requirement to pick 77 pounds of mushrooms per hour and retaliated against worker complaints with discharge.

The state will seek reimbursement for lost wages and civil penalties for the company. It is evident that activist A/Gs will become involved in specific cases of actual or perceived exploitation of workers or abuse of H-2A visa regulations.