Ag Overtime Study by WSU & CLL
From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. A new study appears to support farm sector fears about Washington state’s ag overtime law and the damage it’s done.
Ben Tindall, Executive Director of Save Family Farming, says we’re thrilled that the new study by WSU and the Center for Latino Leadership is out, but …
TINDALL … “The information that came out, really, is not new or news necessarily. It is things that we have been saying along with many other ag organizations throughout the state, this really just affirms what we’ve been saying for years.”
The law’s intent may be noble, Tindall says, but ag is different …
TINDALL … “While we are very supportive of farm labor of any form being paid correctly and accurately, this law really has shown an out-of-touch or just a misunderstanding of how agriculture operates.”
Tindall says they truly appreciate this study …
TINDALL … “And we’re hopeful that, you know, this will provide some very firm and scientific-based data that now this is not just subjective, this is not just an ag organization’s opinion or some sort of anecdotal quote or statement that has now some scientific data and research behind it saying, hey, this is something that our legislators need to take into account and be aware of.”
Tindall says agriculture relies on a vast array of factors that legislators just don’t seem to understand, but hopes that might now change.
