DIRECTIVE	:	EMPLOYMENT SERVICE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 09-97
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	JOHN R. BEVERLY, III Director United States Employment Service
SUBJECT	:	National H-2B Forestry Worker Conference for State and Federal Staff

1. Purpose. To announce a National H-2B Forestry Conference to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana August 26-28, 1997. State and Federal staff involved in administering the H-2B forestry worker program and related activities should plan to attend.

2. References. General Administration Letter No. 1-95, Procedures for H-2B Temporary Labor Certification in Nonagricultural Occupations; General Administration Letter No. 1-95, Change 1.

3. Background. Since Forestry occupations have elements of both agricultural and nonagricultural occupations and also often involve multi-state itineraries, the National Office has been developing procedures to handle these specific applications. To clarify these procedures, ETA has arranged for a National and State H-2B Forestry Worker Conference. This conference is critical to identifying employer and worker advocate concerns in regard to the program, as well as training Regional and State staff involved in H-2B policy. INS and Wage and Hour representatives, as well as ETA legal staff will also be in attendance.

   Planning and Development of the National H-2B Forestrx Worker Conference. Highlights of the conference will include:

   1. Briefing and open discussion of new procedures for processing forestry worker applications;

   2. Briefing on INS issues related to forestry applications;

   3. Panels and open discussion of issues and concerns of employers and workers;

   4. Demonstration of forestry planting tools; and,

   5. Briefing on prevailing wage determinations for forestry workers including SCA wages and the new OES System.

   The conference will be hosted by the Dallas Regional Office (Region VI). Charlene Giles, Certifying Officer, is the Conference Logistics Coordinator. A block of rooms has been reserved for August 25-28 at the Inter-Continental Hotel, 444 St. Charles Avenue. The cost of the room for meeting participants is $70 per night including tax. Reservations should be made directly with the hotel by calling (504) 535-5566 before August 4, 1997. State staff should identify themselves as participants of the National Forestry Worker Conference.

4. Action Required. State Administrators are requested to:

   1. Provide information regarding this conference t0 all staff involved in the H-2B Forestry. Worker Program;

   2. Ensure the State has representatives at the conference who directly administer the program; and

   3. By August 4, provide to their Regional Certifying Officer the names of attendees, including the individual who may be contacted by the Conference Logistics Coordinator on matters regarding the conference.

5. Inquiries. Questions regarding facilities should be directed to Charlene Giles at (214) 767-4989. General questions should be addressed to Angela McDaniel, the National Office conference coordinator, at (202) 219-5263, extension 108.

6. Attachments. Draft Agenda and GAL 1-95, Change 1.