Hawley says OT decision will force hundreds of farms out of business
Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) expressed his displeasure with Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon’s decision to lower the farm overtime threshold from 60 to 40 hours.
With inflation and minimum wage set to rise again, this decision could force hundreds of farms out of business in the very near future.
“This decision is going to have grave consequences for all New Yorkers because without farms, our state has no food,” Hawley said. “Farmers provide one of the most important services to our state and many of our farmers and farm laborers rely on the current 60-hour overtime threshold to ensure profits.
“Farmers face challenges unlike any other business and that last thing Albany should be doing from their ivory towers is telling our local farmers how to run their businesses,” Hawley said. “I will continue to lead the charge toward overturning this terrible ruling to protect our local agriculture operations.”
Editor’s Note: The overtime threshold will be phased in over 10 years. The overtime work limit will drop by 4 hours every other year beginning in 2024 until reaching 40 hours in 2032.
