Board will meet about lowering of overtime threshold for NY farm workers

Evan Bourtis

[anvplayer video=”5124700″ station=”998131″]

ALBANY, NY (WHEC) — The Labor Wage Board has set a meeting date for the proposed lowering of the overtime threshold for farm workers in New York.

We told you the Labor Wage Board voted in January to gradually lower the cutoff for overtime hours from 60 hours a week to 40 hours by the year 2032. However, in the six months since, the wage board’s final report has not gone to the labor commissioner for approval.

On Tuesday, the board set a date to vote on the report. September 6th is the day the commissioner will convene a public meeting and vote. If it advances, the commissioner will have 45 days to review the report and announce a decision.

Some western New York farmers have pleaded with the board not to change the overtime hours threshold. They said the extra pay could devastate small businesses. Other farmers support the overtime change.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, 139), who represents rural Genesee County, and other Republicans sent Hochul a letter highlighting the challenges facing the local farming industry.

"I cannot stress enough that lowering this overtime threshold will only hurt the very people the measure is intended to help," Hawley said.