Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.4762 and S.1291, which would extend labor protections to farm workers.

By Council Members Miller, Arroyo, Chin, Eugene, Johnson, Lander, Mendez, Gentile, Menchaca, Rodriguez, Kallos, Dromm, Crowley, Constantinides, Rosenthal and Wills

Whereas, According to the New York State Department of Agriculture (NYSDA), agriculture is an important sector of the State economy; and

Whereas, According to the most recent information provided by the NYSDA, New York State is the nation's largest producer of cabbage, and a leading producer of apples, grapes, pears, strawberries and tart cherries; and

Whereas, It is estimated that between 60,000 to 100,000 people work as farm workers in New York State; and

Whereas, According to the New York Times the majority of the farm workers in the State are foreign born migrants; and

Whereas, According to the New York State Department of Labor, farm workers are entitled to a minimum wage of $8.75 per hour; and

Whereas, However, farm workers are denied many of the benefits available to other workers such as overtime pay, disability insurance, unemployment benefits, and the right to collective bargaining; and

Whereas, Farm workers work long hours, up to 15 hours per day, and often are exposed to chemicals such as pesticides; and

Whereas, Legislation has been introduced in the State Legislature - A.4762 (by Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan) and S.1291 (by Senator Adriano Espaillat) - which would extend labor protections to farm workers; and

Whereas, Farm workers deserve the basic protections afforded to other workers in New York State; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.4762 and S.1291, which would extend labor protections to farm workers.

LS# 3457

April 16, 2015