Senator Joseph Griffo voted against the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act which was passed by the Senate and Assembly and is expected to be signed by the Governor.

"While I recognize and respect the important role that farmworkers play in the state’s agriculture industry, I could not support this legislation,” Deputy Minority Leader Griffo said. “I believe that it could have a detrimental effect on the viability and financial well-being of family farms at a time when many are already struggling,” said Griffo.

A Farm Credit East analysis found that this legislation would increase the labor costs of farms by an estimated $300 million, or more than 17 percent what labor costs are now.

The Deputy Minority Leader is also critical of a three member wage board that will be created as part of the legislation.

The board, which will study overtime pay for farmworkers, will consist of representatives from the New York Farm Bureau and the AFL-CIO and a member who is selected by the state Department of Labor.

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