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JAMESTOWN, NY (WNY News Now) – New requirements for local farmers took effect this month in Chautauqua County, as part of state changes to their overtime pay threshold.
An issue for the agriculture community, and some GOP lawmakers, is the new financial burden placed on family farms in our community which will now have to dole out bigger paychecks.
Now, State Senator George Borrello is rallying to change the new rules.
“Originally it was lowered to 60 hours, and now the decision has been made to lower it to 40 hours. This is going to be devastating for New York farmers and it is nothing but a political move that has been dominated by radical special interests out of New York City,” said Borrello.
Back on October 3 the Labor Commissioner and Farm Laborers Wage Board officially lowered the pay threshold, albeit amid scrutiny from farms locally.
“We had countless hearings and countless press conferences across the state, heard from farmers and farm workers and there was mostly silence from the other side of the aisles,” said Borrello.
Borrello, being personally tied to agriculture, is deeply upset and says this might impact the state’s agricultural future.
“It’s going to have a huge impact on our food security, on our food supply chain, and on New York’s ability to feed itself,” said Borrello.
Going forward, Senator George Borrello is urging those who take issue with the new requirement to protest by writing to the Governor’s Office and other representatives in Albany.
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