X

Two St. Lawrence County GOP reps say Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act bad for North Country

Posted 6/20/19

Two of St. Lawrence County’s state representatives say the proposed Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act will devastate the North Country farmers. The bill would allow farm workers the right to …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Two St. Lawrence County GOP reps say Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act bad for North Country

Posted

Two of St. Lawrence County’s state representatives say the proposed Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act will devastate the North Country farmers.

The bill would allow farm workers the right to unionize, receive overtime pay and entitle them to a least one-day off per week.

“While agriculture remains the backbone of New York State’s economy, it is an industry in peril. New York agriculture is a $4.8 billion industry with more than 35,000 farms across the state—but it is struggling. Over the last five years, we have lost 2,000 farms and today, almost every farmer I talk with is teetering on the brink of disaster,” Assemblymen Mark Walczyk, R-Watertown, said in a prepared statement.

“In passing the “Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act”, New York State places the fate of its agricultural industry in the hands of a newly created, unelected wage board that has zero accountability. Moreover, the legislation has added another $300 million to farm costs, delivering what could be a fatal blow to many in an already dire industry. Compared to what they provide for New York State, our hardworking farmers do not ask for much. They simply ask to be given the chance to earn their money and work their farms. They do not ask for government—especially those from non-agricultural based communities—to tell them they cannot. Our farms cannot afford this bill and because of it, I fear many will not survive.”

Sen. Patty Richie, R-Heuvelton, also opposed the measure.

“Farming is the lifeblood of so many that live in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, with many farms that have been handed down from one generation to the next. Our farms proudly feed New York and beyond and the local impact of one farm in our community has compounding impact on the economy. The Farm Worker Labor Bill will devastate some of our farms that are already struggling. As countless farmers are trying to cope with low milk checks, extreme weather conditions that make planting crops difficult and more red tape that makes doing business of any kind in the state near impossible,” she said in a prepared statement.

“Farming is not a normal '9 to 5' job, and farm workers are well aware of that. While I understand the rational of those in support of this bill, the sponsors of the legislation demonstrated an ignorance about farming and our way of life Upstate. This proposal, if signed into law, will be the death knell of so many farms across the Front Yard of America and throughout New York. We should be doing everything we can to support our struggling farmers - not playing politics with special interest groups who play well in Manhattan and Long Island City."