piece rate

On Thursday, the Washington Supreme Court agreed with Attorney General Bob Ferguson that agricultural workers who are paid on a “piece-rate” basis are also entitled to hourly compensation for time they spend on other aspects of their jobs. In a “f...

Labor was one of the biggest problems for producers in the Northwest this year, and Mike Gempler with the Washington Growers League says they anticipate that will be the case next year as well.   In Washington, the ag industry will face challenges of a higher minimum wage and along with that comes the new paid sick leave law according to Gempler.  ...

Thursday, the Washington state Supreme Court heard arguments challenging the piece-rate pay system.  The plaintiffs in the case worked for the Dovex Fruit Company as piece-rate employees picking fruit.  The two argue that the piece rate weekly average violates Washington Minimum Wage Act, since they were not pair directly for non-picking activities, such as carrying ladders, waiting for equipment

A bill that would allow ag workers and producers to clearly define backpay requirements to fulfill a state Supreme Court ruling passed the Washington State Senate last week.   The bill’s sponsor, 12th District Republican Brad Hawkins, said in a statement, “The workers would have an expedited opportunity to receive what amounts to back pay, and growers would have a defense against lawsuits currentl