overtime

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...

Several key ag issues have taken center stage during the current Washington legislative session.  But is the farming community getting a fair shake in Olympia?   No, says Ritzville senator, Mark Schoesler.   He noted the 2022-2021 session was horrible for Washington’s farming community, but this session isn’t much better thanks to the deaf ear the ag community has received.  He pointed to the Cap

Farm workers and their advocates say they won't’ be silenced, after two Washington state Senators allegedly manipulated testimony during a hearing in Olympia.  According to Save Family Farming, state Senator Rebecca Saldaña, began translating the testimony of Spanish-speaking workers into English, and reportedly manipulated those words and adding her own editorializing comments during a Senate Lab

Farmers across Washington continue trying to adjust their books as Ag overtime has thrown another wrinkle in the day-to-day operations of farming.  Derek Sandison, Director of the Washington state Department of Agriculture, said in his conversations with producers across the state, the reaction has been mixed.   “...

There are several key issues the Washington farming community is watching during the current legislative session in Olympia.  Two of the top issues are the Cap and Trade fees being assessed to farmers and food movers, as well as the implementation of overtime in agriculture.  State S...

With the 2023 Oregon legislative session underway in Salem, ag groups across the state will watch a host of issues in the weeks ahead.  Matt McElligott, President-elect of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association says one of the issues they will watch very closely, and with some concern, is the roll out of Ag overtime.   “Coupl...

A year after the legislature mandated overtime pay for farm workers, an effort is underway in Salem to make changes to the law.  State Representative Shelly Boshart Davis said since taking effect in June, the rules have created hardships for family farms and resulted in lower pay for ag workers.  She’s lookin...

WAFLA’s new CEO says he’s looking forward to representing farm workers and an industry that has been a big part of his entire life.  Enrique Gastelum took over leadership of the organization this spring, and says one of his biggest priorities is showing those in the farming community, and those outside the industry, the important role H-2A plays.  Gastelum says the v...

In today's PNW Ag Network Wine Minute, Sam Tannahill talks about help available for growers adjusting to the removal of the overtime exemption for the farming community.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaag...