State Senate passes farmworker overtime bill

The measure goes back to the Assembly, where an earlier version failed by just four votes in June.|
BILL SWINDELL
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The state Senate passed legislation on a 24-14 vote Monday that would require that farmworkers get paid overtime after working 40 hours a week or more than eight hours a day. It now goes back to the Assembly, where an earlier version failed by four votes in June.

State Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, voted “yes” while State Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, abstained. The bill would be fully implemented by 2022. Sponsors revised the measure to allow companies with 25 or fewer employees an additional three years to comply.

Proponents contend the bill is needed as farmworkers currently get overtime pay only after 60 hours a week or more than 10 hours a day. Ag interests argue that they need flexibility due to unpredictable weather during harvest season.

Bill Swindell

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