Western United Dairymen’s Board of Directors Friday kicked into high gear action against a bill that would allow agricultural workers overtime after eight hours of work. The Board agreed to help finance an agricultural coalition focused on defeating the ill-advised legislation and protect California dairy families.
AB 1313 amends existing law regarding wage and hour requirements for agricultural workers. The bill also includes agricultural employees as a class of employees protected by criminal penalties under existing law. AB 1313 was pulled off the inactive file and is speeding through the California Senate.
Today, California is one of only four states that requires overtime be paid to agricultural workers. Current law requires that these employees be paid overtime after ten hours. The other forty-six states do not require overtime to be paid to persons employed in the agricultural arena recognizing the vagaries and whims of Mother Nature when the time comes for crops must be harvested.
“This bill would further cripple California’s competitiveness and drive jobs and business out of the state. It must be defeated!” said Michael Marsh, CEO of Western United Dairymen. July 23, 2012 WUD Friday Update