SUPPORT NEW YORK FARMWORKERS

In New York State, laws protecting workers categorically exclude farmworkers from basic rights and protections.

As a result, workers often work 14 hour days, seven days a week, at minimum wage, with no health insurance, workers comp, or paid sick leave. They can be fired if they try to form a union, they live in substandard housing, and they have a shocking lack of access to basic sanitation. Children who work in the fields all day can be paid as little as $3.90 an hour.

The Farm Workers Fair Labor Practices Act requires employers to allow a day of rest per week, guarantees overtime pay for those working over 40 hours a week, grants the rights to collective bargaining and to form unions, ensures decent housing, expands sanitary codes on farms, and provides for workers compensation.

Sign our petition and tell New York legislators to pass the Farm Workers Fair Labor Practices Act.

It is imperative that New York State provide equal protection to farmworkers by enacting the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act, S.2247/A.1867.

Agriculture is New York's largest industry. Shamefully, however, we fail to honor the dignity and worth of agricultural workers through the respect and equal treatment they justly deserve. For far too long, farm workers have been excluded from basic protections such as the right to a day of rest per week, the right to overtime pay, to disability insurance coverage, and the right to form a union. The Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act would extend to farmworkers the same rights and protections already provided to other workers.

I ask that you actively support this legislation and take prompt action to ensure equal rights for farmworkers. It is unjust and unacceptable for farmworkers to be denied the basic labor, safety and health protections other workers in our state enjoy.

I hope and anticipate that you will work for prompt passage of this important human and civil rights legislation.