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Vermont Committee Recommends Minimum Wage and Overtime for Agricultural Workers
A legislative committee in Vermont has recommended that agricultural workers be granted state minimum wage protections and overtime pay after 60 hours of work each week. However, the committee left unaddressed the issue of collective bargaining rights for farmworkers, which was also under consideration.
Currently, Vermont agricultural workers are covered by the federal minimum wage of $7.25—unchanged for 15 years—but not by the state’s minimum wage, which is set to rise to $14.01 per hour in 2025. Additionally, farmworkers are excluded from state overtime laws, meaning they do not receive additional pay for hours worked beyond 40 weekly. This discrepancy reflects longstanding inequities in labor laws, with origins tied to racial exclusions from federal protections that disadvantaged workers, particularly Black individuals, in the agriculture sector.
The eight-member Agricultural Worker Labor and Employment Laws Study Committee heard testimonies from various stakeholders, including farmworkers themselves. Newport dairy worker Gamaliel emphasized that earning the state’s minimum wage would signify recognition of their humanity, while Brian Carpenter from the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance cautioned against quick legislative changes, arguing that the industry is already struggling.
Opinions within the committee varied, with some lawmakers, including Franklin County Sen. Randy Brock, expressing concerns over the reliability of data on farmworker wages. In contrast, Chittenden County Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale disputed Brock’s comments, advocating for understanding of farmworkers’ situations.
Migrant Justice expressed disappointment regarding the collective bargaining issue but praised the committee’s wage recommendations. The legislative report is expected to be submitted to the full Vermont Legislature soon, as advocates hope for more substantial reforms to improve conditions for farmworkers amidst a challenging labor landscape.
Source
Photo credit www.vermontpublic.org
