*** We would like to thank everyone for their generous support!  I'd like to suggest in lieu of further donations, if you want to promote this petition, post a link to your social media account, or copy the link and send it to friends who would probably support it. Our cost per signature is pretty high, and adopting a new strategy for promotion is in order!***

As a small business owner, I have seen firsthand how unnecessary government overreach can harm us and our employees. The aggressive misapplication of federal law, in this case, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA), provides very little benefit to those employed by firefighting companies. 

The MSPA was designed to safeguard migrant and seasonal agricultural workers from unfair practices. However, its enforcement on federal service contractors holding VIPR wildland fire contracts has been more of a burden than beneficial. These contractors are not agricultural businesses; they provide vital services in managing wildfires - a task that requires specialized skills far removed from farming or agricultural contracting. 

The U.S Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division reported that in 2019 alone, there were over 2 million registered federal service contractors across various sectors (U.S Department of Labor). Imposing MSPA regulations on those participating in wildland fire suppression services could lead to widespread disruption, and negatively affect the interest of the small businesses, their employees, and the public who we serve.

Forcing these businesses under the umbrella of MSPA not only threatens their survival but also jeopardizes jobs for thousands who rely on them for employment. This misapplication does not serve public interest nor does it uphold the spirit of protection that MSPA was intended for.

We urge the Forest Service and the Department of Labor to reconsider this enforcement action against VIPR wildland fire contracts under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. Let's focus our efforts instead on enforcing labor laws that actually apply to our industry- the FLSA and the McNamara O'Hare Service Contract Act- laws that appropriately protect workers without causing undue harm to small businesses or their employees.

Please sign this petition if you believe in fair application of laws without compromising livelihoods or stifling crucial services like wildfire management.

For more information, please visit our website and watch our presentation here:

https://wildfireresearchgroup.org/mspa-for-vipr-contractors

DONATIONS MADE FROM THIS WEBSITE ARE FOR CHANGE.ORG AND WILL BOOST OUR REACH, BUT DO NOT GO TO WILDFIRE RESEARCH GROUP.  To donate to our organization, go to our support page on our website.  Thank you for your support!