The Peru Gazette

Move to lower overtime threshold will cause new hardships for our farmers 

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today criticized the Farm Laborers Wage Board for its decision to lower the overtime threshold for farm workers from 60 hours a week to 40. With the pandemic causing tremendous economic hardship for many family farms and inflation causing a massive increase in costs, the decision will make it more expensive for both producers and consumers. Noting that this move isn’t finalized, he also urged Governor Hochul to reject this decision once it is presented to her.

“Our families have faced a major increase in prices on the healthy food and products they rely on and our farmers have had a difficult recovery from the COVID pandemic,” said Stec. “The wage board’s decision to lower the overtime threshold will only make our long-term recovery more difficult.

 “Most family-owned farms operate on tight budgets and deadlines. Lowering the threshold will force a change in operations for owners and impact the ability of farm workers to find and maintain employment,” he continued. “For our families, who are already working hard to make ends meet, obtaining the quality goods they deserve will become much more difficult.

“Despite the Farm Laborers Wage Board’s bad decision, there’s still time to do right by our farmers and families. I urge Governor Hochul to reject this proposal and ensure our farms can continue to grow and succeed,” Stec concluded.