Two State Lawmakers Call for Hearings on Farmworkers Fair Labor Act

Two Southern Tier state legislators are calling for public hearings on a farmworkers labor bill.

Senator Thomas O’Mara of Big Flats and Assemblyman Philip Palmesano of Corning say the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act calling for mandatory overtime pay would increase already high farm costs by close to 20%.

The Republicans say the measure would result in an “enormous loss of family farms and the thousands of livelihoods these farms support.”

The O’Mara and Palmesano say they want legislative leaders to schedule hearings across every agricultural region of New York State.

Senator Fred Akshar (R-Binghamton) is also supporting multiple public forums to be held in rural communities.

The Legislation is sponsored by Senator Jessica Ramos of East Elmhurst (D), who chairs the Senate Labor Committee and Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D) of Long Island. Democrat Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo of Endwell is chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee.