WGXC-90.7 FM

Decision on paying farmworkers same as other workers delayed

Dec 15, 2021 1:23 pm

Nick Reisman reports for New York State of Politics that farm workers will have to wait until January to find out if they can get paid under the same rules as grocery employees and other workers. Currently, grocery store workers and other employees in New York State get overtime after 40 hours of work in a week. But farmworkers do not get overtime pay until they work 60 hours a week. The New York State Department of Labor was set to resolve the issue, but pushed back their decision until after public hearings on the issue Jan. 4, Jan. 18 and Jan. 20. Agricultural lobbyists says farms would rather not pay increased wages. The three hearings are virtual, and anyone can sign up to testify at https://dol.ny.gov/farm-laborers-wage-board-hearings. Read more about this story for New York State of Politics.