New York Labor Commissioner gives thumbs up to recommendation that would lower farmworker over-time threshold to 40-hours

New York’s Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon has given a stamp of approval to lower the state farmworker overtime threshold to 40-hours.

Right now, that threshold is at 60 and this move will phase-in the drop over a decade.

Federal law exempts farming establishments from giving them 1.5 times pay when they work over 40-hours per-week, but New York is among several other states that have gone this direction for providing overtime pay to farmworkers.

During harvest season, numerous local farmers and agriculture officials have said to us in the past that many weeks involve working well over 40-hours.

Small family run farms have voiced previously their concerns that this move will only burden them and make it more difficult to stay afloat.

Commissioner Reardon said this plan is “the best path forward.” 

Image courtesy via New York's Department of Agriculture.