Queens Gazette

NY Farmers Receive Justice As Labor Law Passes



There are more than 35,000 farms across New York state. Agriculture from mostly family owned farms generates about $5 billion annually and provides approximately 198,000 jobs, yet farm laborers are not protected under federal labor laws.

On June 19, the Farmworkers Fair Practices Labor Act, sponsored by Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (District 37) and NYS Senator Jessica Ramos (District 13), was passed after a decades-long effort to strengthen labor protections for farmworkers in New York state.

“Our Assembly majority has a proud history of passing workers’ rights legislation, and today we have given farmworkers many protections they have been without for far too long. Farmworkers will finally have collective bargaining rights, a day of rest, and overtime. I am proud to have carried this legislation for many years, and I thank Speaker (Carl) Heastie for his support in getting this legislation passed,” Assemblywoman Nolan said in a press release.

“The Farm Workers Fair Labor Practices Act has lingered in this body for 20 years, with seven sponsors on both sides of the aisle,” said Senator Ramos, chair of the Senate Labor Committee, in a press release. “I am proud to be the eighth and last sponsor of the Farmworkers Fair Practices Labor Act.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo stated in a June 19 press release, “With the passage of this legislation, we will help ensure every farmworker receives the overtime pay and fair working conditions they deserve.”

With the arrival of peak farmers’ market season, Cuomo also noted that more than 700 farmers’ market locations are currently providing access to fresh, locally grown food and beverages.

“The Empire State is home to a thriving agricultural industry, and farmers’ market season is the perfect opportunity to enjoy all that their local growers and producers have to offer,” Governor Cuomo said in a June 14 press release.

Farm fresh products are available locally at:

• Sunnyside Greenmarket (year-round) Saturdays, 8 am – 2 pm; 41-15 Skillman Ave. at 42nd Street (212) 788-7900

• Brooklyn Grange Farm Stand @LIC

(May 18 – October 26) Saturdays, 11 am

– 4 pm; on the rooftop 37-18 Northern

Blvd. (646) 625-0318

• Socrates Sculpture Park Farm Stand (May

4 – October 26) Saturdays, 12 pm – 3 pm;

32-01 Vernon Blvd. LIC (917) 832-0992

• Ditmars Park Youthmarket (July 13 – November 23) Saturdays, 8 am – 3 pm; Ditmars Park on Steinway St. LIC (212)

788-7900

For more information e-mail farmersmarkets@ agriculture.ny.gov.

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