Piece Rate Worker Disclosures

I’m Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

Agricultural employers are required to allow workers a ten minute rest break for each four hour period of employment. Recently a lawsuit was filed against an agricultural employer “claiming” the employer did not allow piece rate workers to take the required ten minute rest break. The judge in that case has asked the Washington Supreme Court to rule on whether Washington law requires growers to pay piece rate workers extra for rest breaks. The Washington State Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the case March 17. Washington Farm Labor Association and the Washington State Tree Fruit Association have contacted two law firms from Wenatchee and Yakima to write an amicus brief on behalf of growers in the state who pay piece rate. WAFLA’s Dan Fazio explains why growers should be concerned.

FAZIO: The problem for growers is, if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, there’s a chance that they could set this compensation retroactive. In other words all growers would owe each piece rate worker for an extra 20 minutes for every day they worked for the past three years.

Fazio says growers who use piece rate compensation systems should disclose that the pieces rate compensation is intended to cover rest breaks. Growers who would like to contribute to the legal effort should contact WAFLA. To learn more about this issue be sure to attend the Winter Ag Academy workshops being held in Yakima January 21, in Pasco February 4, and in Wenatchee February 11.  For more information visit wafla.org.

That’s Washington Ag Today.

I’m Lacy Gray with the Ag Information Network of the West.