overtime

A recent economic analysis by Oregon State University shows the state’s new ag overtime rules will negatively impact farm profitability and result in decreased paychecks for workers.  When the idea requiring overtime pay in the farming industry was first floated, supporters said farm workers across the state would benefit from larger paychecks.  OSU economist...

Wednesday was a big day for the Oregon farming community, as lawmakers in Salem held a hearing on House Bill 2548.  The Legislation looks to create a Workforce Standards Board for Agriculture, which the Oregon Farm Bureau said would have the ability to determine pay, crop rotation and would remove at will employment in the state’s farming sector.  State Represe...

Washington state Representative Tom Dent said he’s disappointed that the chair of the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee will not hold a public hearing on House Bill 1597.  The Moses Lake Republican said his proposal would have allowed Ag employers to select 12 weeks a year to employ workers for up to 50-hours per week before overtime applies.  Dent said des...

Farmworkers from across Washington gathered in Olympia on Tuesday February 4th, to speak about the harm the state’s new overtime law has caused.  Linda Vargas was one of those who participated in last week’s rally.  She said, while ag overt...

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association has thrown its support behind two pieces of legislation looking to address ag overtime.  Jon DeVaney has the latest.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

Last week, the Washington Tree Fruit sector took to Olympia to focus on legislative issues and the impact they will have on growers, packers and workers.  Jon DeVaney, President of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association said staff joined 41 volunteers for Tree Fruit Day, an effort to educate lawmakers about an industry that employs over 68,000 people and produces approximately $3 billion in a

Since Ag Overtime was implemented in Washington a few years ago, it has been a challenge for producers to adjust.  Many farmers have struggled from a budget standpoint, finding enough workers or both.  In an effort to help Washington’s farm community, state Representative Tom Dent introduced HB 1597 last week, which would allow ag employers to select 12 weeks a year to employ workers for up to 50

The 2025 Oregon Legislative Session gets underway next week in Salem.  And while the priorities for the farming community vary quite a bit, there will be several key issues discussed; water, regulation and overtime.  For Jeff Stone Executive Director for the Oregon Nurseries Association, overtime will be one of, if not the top issues.   “What we'r...

A bill supporters claim will fix Oregon's farm worker overtime law has cleared the state Senate.  But, opponents say the measure doesn’t mitigate the risk to the state’s farming community.   House Bill 4002 cleared the state legislature last year, mandating overtime for ag workers, and creating a host of problems for producers.  The new bill introduced ...

A bill supporters claim will apply fixes to Oregon’s farm worker overtime law is advancing.  When House Bill 4002 passed last year, mandating overtime for agricultural workers, supporters insisted they would consider updates this session.  House Bill 20...