PRESS STATEMENT 'Offensive': Farmworkers Push Back on Opponents of Help for Workers

“Farmworkers need changes to Washington state’s new farming overtime law right away to help them boost their paychecks, as has been proposed in the state legislature with Senate Bill 5476. 

Watching today’s state Senate Labor & Commerce Committee hearing on the bill, it was deeply disappointing that despite the hardship the new overtime law has caused tens of thousands of farmworkers, some activist groups are instead opposing these changes needed to bring immediate relief for workers. 

We’re troubled to see that even after nearly 300 workers rallied for change at the state Capitol just last week, the extreme activist groups today refused again to acknowledge the burden the new law has placed on farmworkers.

On top of sidestepping workers’ concerns, in their remarks the groups actually accused the hundreds of farmworkers who rallied at the Capitol of being misled and not understanding what’s best for their families.

The activists’ accusations are offensive, and their denial of real farmworkers’ hardships as a result of the new law is insulting.

We hope the lawmakers considering this important proposal to help farmworkers can see through the false accusations of these activist groups, who appear to be unwilling to admit their role in pushing for the very rules now devastating so many hardworking families across Washington state.”

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