Hawkins Says Ag Wage Backpay Bill Gets Money Out Faster, Smarter

A bill by 12^th District Senator Brad Hawkins designed to provide clear direction and protection for ag producers who will be issuing backpay to workers for rest breaks passed the Senate.

“My focus as a legislator is one, I want to make sure the workers do get paid. I’m not convinced that an extended and costly legal process through the courts is really going to generate those payments to the worker. Also we need to provide clarity to the industry cause the industry does best when it has clarity and certainty.”

Hawkins said his bill get money to workers faster and allow companies to follow guidelines that would protect them from legal challenges though some of his colleagues have claimed his bill in anti-worker.

“If there’s an opportunity in the legislature to provide clarity to the industry. If there’s an opportunity in the legislature to expedite payments to the workers for past uncompensated rest breaks and we can find agreement on that and that will protect the industry from lawsuits and help preserve financial resources within the industry then I just don’t see how that’s bad for workers.”

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