OFB: HB 2548 Will Take Control Away From Farmers

The Oregon Farm Bureau is warning the Ag and non-Ag industry alike of the detrimental impact House Bill 2548 would have on the entire farming industry.  OFB spokesperson Jenny Dresler says HB 2548 looks to create a Workforce Standards Board for Agriculture.

“And what that board does is essentially strips employers of making pay determinations, benefit determinations for their workforce and give that authority to an unelected bureaucratic body, with no accountability, who can set wages, new Oregon OSHA regulations, new rest break schedules or even work schedules that dictate how employer operates their farm, essentially.”

Dressler said the Board could potentially determine what crops could be grown and where.  She added the proposal also looks to eliminate at will employment in agriculture, which she called "shocking".

Dressler said supporters of HB 2548 claim farm workers are not subject to any workplace protections, or that farmworkers don't receive a minimum wage or enjoy any sort of workplace standards, which she called blatantly false.

“I've been working with the industry for more than a decade and have been part of conversations and negotiations around every workplace benefit, and those have also applied to farm work.  And so, that is one of the false premises that this bill reports to address. So, for those who say, ‘well, farm workers should have the rights that other workers have.’, that is already the case.  Despite what the proponents of this bill say, that is already the case."

Dresler added that HB 2548 creates cost drivers that are completely out of the control of family farmers, and opens small family farms up to potential lawsuits.  The Oregon Farm Bureau is asking farmers, farm workers, or anyone concerned about the future of Oregon Agriculture to offer their thoughts and comments before 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 12th. 

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