Last week, Oregon joined two other Pacific coast states, California and Washington, in requiring overtime pay for farm workers.
These changes aroused vigorous opposition among growers and have been a source of constant complaint from them in the states affected.
We can ask, then, what effects these new laws are having on farm employment.
I contacted Philip L. Martin, a professor at the University of California, Davis, probably the nation’s foremost expert on farm labor, about this question.
Martin’s reply (by email): “Richard, this is a hot topic with very little data, but lots of farmers trying to avoid paying OT [overtime].” He sent me the results of a 2020 study, which are apparently the most recent data available on this subject.
The study surveyed over 100 farmworkers, mostly male, in Kern County, CA; 84 percent worked full-time. Seventy-eight percent reported household incomes of between $30,000 and $50,000. Sixty-four percent worked in table grapes, another 14 percent in tree fruit.
Fifty-four percent said that their hours had changed as a result of the state’s overtime requirements. Two-thirds said that these changes were entirely result of new overtime regulations.
Asked, “If you are working less hours due to overtime, how have you faced the reduced salary?” 40 percent said that they spent more time with their families, and 41 percent had to reduce spending (chiefly on clothing and food). Only 14 percent said they had gotten a second job.
Asked, “Do you think...
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