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Proposed labor law would kill business, farm owners argue
'Dignity' of workers at issue
By
Times Herald-Record
PINE ISLAND — The legislative circus in Albany is helping at least one
group of people — farmers who have been sweating the possible passage of
a labor law they say would be ruinous to their industry.
The Farmworker Fair Practices Act, which guarantees time off, the right
to unionize and overtime pay for field hands, has passed the Assembly
several times only to die in the Senate.
But with Democrats winning that chamber last fall, supporters of the
bill thought this was their year.
"I think one always remains hopeful," said the Rev. Richard Witt,
executive director of Rural & Migrant Ministries in Poughkeepsie. "We're
in a difficult time right with the lack of leadership. "¦ I hope they'll
still be able to address this issue."
The bill has the support of unions, religious groups, the American Civil
Liberties Union and a lot of Democratic politicians, especially from
urban areas. The issue, Witt said, is one of "dignity and fairness."
Agriculture is different
But Black Dirt farmers say the proposed law, which aims to provide the
same protections guaranteed most employees in the state, doesn't
consider that agriculture is inherently different from most industries.
It is mostly seasonal, uses workers who want to work as much as possible
because they don't work yearround, and subject to the whims of weather
and volatile prices and markets.
"It'd put us out of business," said Ray Glowaczewski, of R&G Produce in
Pine Island. "I may as well call it quits and get a job working for
someone else."
Glowaczewski says he works just as much as his employees and, like them,
doesn't get overtime. He also provides housing and transportation for
his workers, a benefit worth a lot more than overtime pay, farmers say.
"It's ridiculous," said Alex Kocot, an onion farmer who packages as
Harvest Queen in Florida and Pine Island. "They make it sound like we're
working them in slavery days."
Kocot employs about 18 people, who make anywhere from $7.50 to $11 and
hour and get free housing.
"I give my guys a day off," he said. "I like taking Sunday off."
The exception, he said, is when weather demands work be done. For
example, after all the rain of the past week, it may be imperative for
the success of this year's crops that employees are in the fields
Sunday. And in the fall, there's a rush to beat the rainy season.
"You have to beat mother nature," Glowaczewski said.
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