Press Release:
The decision by the Farm Laborers Wage Board to lower overtime hours from 60 to 40 hours is fatal to our farms. Agriculture is a vital part of our Upstate community and with this change, many family farms will not survive. I have spoken with countless farmers and farm workers who have shared their concerns with this hour reduction.
Unfortunately, this will result in farm workers not coming to New York but going to other states with friendlier regulations. At a time when it is being preached to follow the advice of industry experts, the Wage Board instead opted to ignore the experts and pursue this out of touch agenda. I am deeply troubled by this decision and the impact it will have, not only in my district, but across our State.
Instead of bemoaning a fair
Instead of bemoaning a fair wage for farm laborers, why not fix the unfair reimbursement farmers receive for their produce. It's the market that's broken, that's why farmers have been struggling for decades. It's unfairly weighted for retailers and consumers.
" Unfortunately, this will
" Unfortunately, this will result in farm workers not coming to New York but going to other states with friendlier regulations. " Said Sen. Rath . I wonder if the Senator could explain that statement, I don't get it. If a " farm worker " will be paid a higher wage after working 40 hours instead of having to work 60 hours, why would that " farm worker " Not want to work in New York ? .....
David, farmers aren't going
David, farmers aren't going to pay overtime. If a farmworker can't work more than 40 hours, they will go to states where they can get more hours. Or if farmers do pay overtime, they will soon be out of business, and the farmworkers will have no choice but to go to states that still have farms.
Now I get it, the Senator
Now I get it, the Senator along with Assemblyman Hawley and the Farmers are angry because the days of exploiting the worker and their wages are over. If they do the work they should be paid for it , just like the rest of us..
The farm workers oppose the
The farm workers oppose the rule change as well.
Well if they wish to work for
Well if they wish to work for free, good for them. I'd like to get paid OT after an eight hour day like it was when I worked union.
Nobody is working for free.
Nobody is working for free.
Turning into an argument
Turning into an argument Howard. When some one works and doesn't get paid for their labor and time, I call it working for free, what do you call it ? What makes this story sad is these farm workers , who do back breaking work, are getting a low wage to start with. A farm worker is no different than anyone else who works hourly, any time after 40 hours is OT. Doesn't everybody know this? I was under the impression there was a labor law already stating this. Learn something new everyday.
It's not an argument. I'm
It's not an argument. I'm providing facts, just facts, to correct misinformation.
Farmworkers don't get a low wage and they don't work for free.
We've provided ample coverage on why farm labor is different. You're welcome to go through our archives.