North Country Congresswoman Stefanik not happy with Labor Department’s decision to officially adopt measure to lower overtime threshold for New York farm workers

WASHINGTON, D.C.- New York’s Labor Department has adopted the measure to lower the overtime hours threshold from 60 to 40-hours for farmworkers.

This development blossomed Wednesday and will officially start phasing in through 2032. “These new regulations ensure equity for farm workers, who are the very backbone of our agriculture sector,” New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said.

“By implementing a gradual transition, we are giving farmers time to make the appropriate adjustments. These new regulations advance New York State’s continued commitment to workers while protecting our farms.”

However, not everyone seems to be on-board. North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) is accusing the Labor Office of ignoring over 70% of testimony from farmers and multiple scientific reports.

"Albany Democrats have ignored the concerns of farmers across New York State by adopting regulations to lower the overtime threshold, which jeopardizes the future of New York's agriculture industry and will put thousands of farm laborers out of work,” Stefanik said.

“This out of touch decision makes New York less competitive and will exacerbate the existing labor shortage our farmers are already facing.”

The Farm Laborers Wage Board made the recommendation to drop the threshold last September.

Image via the office of North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.