New York Farm Bureau released its 2022 state legislative priorities to address the needs and challenges of the diverse agricultural community in New York State. This included reaction and next steps to address the Farm Labor Wage Board decision to lower the overtime threshold from 60 to 40 hours over the next decade.
New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher, who is on the Department of Labor’s Farm Labor Wage Board, expressed his serious concerns with the 2-1 decision passed January 29 that will begin dropping the threshold in 2024. He said it will be extremely difficult for farmers and farmworkers to absorb and will change the face of New York agriculture.
He also questioned why more of the submitted video testimony was not played for the full wage board to hear and consider.
“In the end, the decision was made with little deliberation or reflection of the testimony. I would have hoped my fellow board members would have considered more of the impacts that this will have on agriculture,” said President Fisher.
About 70-percent of the testimony was in favor of keeping the overtime threshold at 60. Many farmers and farmworkers testified that anything lower would hurt farmworkers. It will mean fewer hours, less income, and force those wanting to work more to find a second job or leave New York State for employment. New York State can’t afford to lose its skilled workforce. Fisher also expressed how this will negatively impact farms operating under thin profit margins as well as New York’s food system and access to local food.
“We saw how important that was in the pandemic for consumers and food banks. We heard testimony that labor will be too expensive, and hours will be limited so there won’t be that excess product to give away,” he said.
New York Farm Bureau is asking Gov. Hochul to find an alternative to the wage board’s recommendation. The organization appreciates that she is looking for a creative solution by proposing a tax credit to offset overtime pay, but many farmers have expressed concern over having to cash flow the high overtime costs before they could see any income from the tax credit, potentially a year later. New York Farm Bureau is asking for more discussion around this with the governor and legislature.
“So much is at stake. This is a priority issue for New York Farm Bureau and all of agriculture. We have worked closely with our partners in the Grow NY Farms coalition and will continue to fight forward together,” said Fisher.
The NYFB’s other legislative priorities include: supporting investment in new meat, vegetable, fruit, and seafood processing facilities in New York; supporting legislation allowing direct to consumer shipping for all New York-produced farm beverages, including beer, cider, and distillates; opposing Extended Producer Responsibility legislation that doesn’t require consumer responsibility for packaging they receive. Go to https://bit.ly/3GfNc0C to view the full list of NYFB State Priorities.
“In the end, it is imperative that we all work together to expand opportunities and capitalize on what we do well in New York. We have one of the most diverse agricultural sectors in the country. It is worth it to each of us to maintain that strong connection to food and farm production,” said President Fisher.
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