Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s6578?intent=oppose
Timestamp: 2020-01-29 18:05:54
Document Index: 555166028

Matched Legal Cases: ['§225', '§3', '§110', '§  2', '§  3', '§ 4', '§  5', '§ 6', '§ 163', '§ 7', '§ 8', '§ 564', '§  9', '§ 10', '§ 11', '§ 12', '§ 13', '§ 14', '§ 15', '§ 16', '§  17', '§ 18', '§  19', '§ 704', '§ 20', '§  21', '§ 702', '§  22', '§ 674', '§ 23', '§ 24', '§ 25']

NY State Senate Bill S6578
senate Bill S6578
Enacts the farm laborers fair labor practices act, granting collective bargaining rights, workers' compensation and unemployment benefits to farm laborers
Current Bill Status Via A8419 - Signed by Governor
Get Status Alerts for S6578
Jul 17, 2019 signed chap.105
3rd reading cal.1664
substituted for s6578
Jun 19, 2019 substituted by a8419
Jun 18, 2019 ordered to third reading cal.1664
S6578 (ACTIVE) - Details
Amd Lab L, generally; amd §225, Pub Health L; amd §§3, 51, 120 & 201, add §110-b, Work Comp L
S6578 (ACTIVE) - Summary
Enacts the farm laborers fair labor practices act: grants collective bargaining rights to farm laborers; requires employers of farm laborers to allow at least 24 consecutive hours of rest each week; provides for an 8 hour work day for farm laborers; requires overtime rate at one and one-half times normal rate… (view more) makes provisions of unemployment insurance law applicable to farm laborers; provides sanitary code shall apply to all farm and food processing labor camps intended to house migrant workers, regardless of the number of occupants; provides for eligibility of farm laborers for workers' compensation benefits; requires employers of farm laborers to provide such farm laborers with claim forms for workers' compensation claims under certain conditions; requires reporting of injuries to employers of farm laborers.
S6578 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER: S6578
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the labor law, in relation to granting
collective bargaining rights to farm laborers and allowing farm laborers
one day of rest each week and including farm laborers within the
ance; to amend the public health law, in relation to the application of
the sanitary code to all farm and food processing labor camps for
migrant workers; to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to
the eligibility of farm laborers for workers' compensation benefits and
employment and in relation to service as farm laborers; to amend the
labor law, in relation to labor on a farm and regulating the employment
of certain employees whose earning capacity is affected or impaired by
youth or age; and to amend the labor law, in relation to unfair labor
practices, impasse resolution procedures and the convening of a farm
laborers wage board
To establish the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act to allow farm
GENERAL SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill entitles the bill, the Farm Laborers Fair Labor
Sections 2 and 3 of the bill contains legislative findings, and amend or
provide definitions.
Sections 4 through 8 modify the Labor Law to allow farm workers 24 hours
of rest a week, to provide overtime for work more than 60 hours a week,
and make other technical changes.
Sections 9 through 14 amend the Public Health Law and the Worker's
Compensation Law to among other things, establish the same eligibility
for farmworkers as other workers for workers' compensation, require
foremen to report injuries, and make it unlawful to discharge an employ-
ee for requesting a claim form for injuries incurred in the course of
Sections 15 to 23 of the bill address overtime eligibility and address
coverage within the minimum wage act.
Section 24 provides for severability.
Section 25 provides the bill's effective date.
In recognition of the tremendous role that the agricultural economy
plays in New York State, it is critical that both farmers and farm
laborers work in harmony. This bill will ensure both farmers and farm
laborers understand their rights and responsibilities to each other,
thus helping the agricultural industry to continue its growth.  The bill
aims to accomplish this by providing farm laborers with collective
bargaining rights, workman's compensation and unemployment benefits, and
to provide farm laborers with basic labor rights such as a day of rest
and overtime eligibility criteria. Having a healthy and properly rested
labor force will help to minimize workplace disruption and inefficiency.
The bill would take effect January 1, 2020, except that section nine of
the bill would take effect January 1, 2021.
S6578 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
Introduced  by  Sen. RAMOS -- (at request of the Governor) -- read twice
bargaining  rights to farm laborers and allowing farm laborers one day
employment and in relation to service as farm laborers; to  amend  the
labor  law,  in relation to labor on a farm and regulating the employ-
ment of certain  employees  whose  earning  capacity  is  affected  or
impaired  by  youth or age; and to amend the labor law, in relation to
unfair labor practices, impasse resolution procedures and the  conven-
ing of a farm laborers wage board
Section 1. This act shall be known and  may  be  cited  as  the  "farm
laborers fair labor practices act".
§  2.  Legislative  findings and intent. 1. The legislature finds that
agriculture is one of New York's leading and most important  industries,
resulting in over $5 billion annually and making New York a global lead-
er in many crops and agricultural products.  Agriculture plays an essen-
tial  role  in  the  continued  economic growth and vitality of New York
state.  According to the United States Department of Agriculture's  2017
Agricultural  Census, 98% of New York's farms are family owned and these
farms contributed $2.4 billion to the state's GDP in 2017.
LBD12035-01-9
S. 6578                             2
2. The legislature further finds that the success of New York's robust
agriculture industry is due to the collaborative  work  between  farmers
and  farm laborers. However, farm laborers are one of the few classes of
employees that are not covered by the Federal Fair Labor  Standards  Act
or  the  National  Labor  Relations  Act  (NLRA), denying these valuable
employees the same basic labor protections and the right  to  collective
bargaining  that  almost all other private sector workers enjoy. Despite
regularly working 50, 60, 70 or even more hours a week doing arduous and
difficult work, often with heavy equipment, pesticides, fertilizers  and
other  dangerous  materials  and in sometimes hazardous situations, farm
laborers remain excluded from collective  bargaining  statutes  and  the
right to a day of rest, overtime and other labor protections that are in
place at the state and/or federal level for other workers.
3.  The  legislature  further  finds  that this industry is subject to
unique and unpredictable factors including climate and weather,  pricing
and  market  requirements,  seasonal  harvests, immigration, and various
federal and state laws, rules and regulations that directly impact farm-
ers and require a unique balance and application  of  traditional  labor
protections  to ensure farm laborers have a voice in their own terms and
conditions of employment and access to  basic  labor  protections  while
also  creating  adaptability  and  responsiveness  to the unique circum-
stances of farm operations.
4. The legislature further finds that the labor standards included  in
this  bill  are intended solely for the purposes of transitioning into a
modern structure of rights and benefits for farm laborers  that  achieve
harmonious  labor  relations and stability of operations in the agricul-
tural industry and are not intended for any other industry or sector  of
§  3.  Paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of section 701 of the labor law,
as amended by chapter 43 of the laws of 1989, is amended and a new para-
graph (c) is added to read as follows:
(C) THE TERM "EMPLOYEE" SHALL ALSO INCLUDE FARM LABORERS. "FARM LABOR-
ERS"  SHALL  MEAN  ANY INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED OR PERMITTED BY AN EMPLOYER TO
WORK ON A FARM, EXCEPT THE PARENT, SPOUSE, CHILD, OR OTHER MEMBER OF THE
EMPLOYER'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY.
S. 6578                             3
§ 4. Subdivision 1 of section 161 of  the  labor  law  is  amended  by
MEMBER OF THE EMPLOYER'S  IMMEDIATE  FAMILY.    TWENTY-FOUR  CONSECUTIVE
HOURS  SPENT  AT  REST BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS WEATHER OR CROP
CONDITIONS, SHALL BE DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE  THE  REST  REQUIRED  BY  THIS
PARAGRAPH.  NO PROVISION OF THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL PROHIBIT A FARM LABORER
FROM VOLUNTARILY AGREEING TO WORK ON SUCH DAY OF REST REQUIRED  BY  THIS
PARAGRAPH,  PROVIDED THAT THE FARM LABORER IS COMPENSATED AT AN OVERTIME
RATE WHICH IS AT LEAST ONE AND ONE-HALF TIMES THE LABORER'S REGULAR RATE
OF PAY FOR ALL HOURS WORKED ON SUCH DAY OF REST.  THE TERM "FARM  LABOR"
SHALL  INCLUDE  ALL  SERVICES  PERFORMED  IN  AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT IN
CONNECTION WITH CULTIVATING THE SOIL, OR IN CONNECTION WITH  RAISING  OR
HARVESTING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES, INCLUDING THE RAISING, SHEARING,
CARING  FOR  AND  MANAGEMENT OF LIVESTOCK, POULTRY OR DAIRY.  THE DAY OF
REST AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION SHOULD, WHENEVER POSSIBLE,  COIN-
CIDE WITH THE TRADITIONAL DAY RESERVED BY THE FARM LABORER FOR RELIGIOUS
§  5.  Paragraphs b and d of subdivision 2 of section 161 of the labor
§ 6. The labor law is amended by adding a new section 163-a to read as
§ 163-A. FARM LABORERS. NO PERSON  OR  CORPORATION  OPERATING  A  FARM
SHALL REQUIRE ANY EMPLOYEE TO WORK MORE THAN SIXTY HOURS IN ANY CALENDAR
WEEK;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  THAT  ANY  OVERTIME WORK PERFORMED BY A FARM
LABORER SHALL BE AT A RATE WHICH IS AT LEAST ONE AND ONE-HALF TIMES  THE
LABORER'S  REGULAR RATE OF PAY.  NO WAGE ORDER SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE APPLICABLE TO A FARM LABORER OTHER THAN A  WAGE
ORDER  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT  TO SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR OR SIX
HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR-A OF THIS CHAPTER.
§ 7. The opening paragraph  of  paragraph  (a)  of  subdivision  6  of
section  511  of the labor law, as amended by chapter 675 of the laws of
The term "employment" [does not include] INCLUDES  agricultural  labor
[unless  it is covered pursuant to section five hundred sixty-four]. The
§ 8. Section 564 of the labor law, as added by chapter 675 of the laws
§ 564. Agricultural labor CREW LEADERS.   [1. Coverage.  (a)  Notwith-
standing  the  provisions of section five hundred sixty of this article,
(1) has paid cash remuneration of twenty thousand dollars or  more  in
S. 6578                             4
§  9.  Paragraph  (m)  of  subdivision  5 of section 225 of the public
cal  assistance  from  the  board  of standards and appeals of the state
department of labor and the state building code commission.  Such  regu-
lation  shall  be enforced in the same manner as are other provisions of
S. 6578                             5
§ 10. Groups 14-a and 14-b of subdivision 1 of section 3 of the  work-
§ 11.  Section 51 of the workers'  compensation  law,  as  amended  by
§ 12. The workers' compensation law is amended by adding a new section
§ 13. The opening paragraph of section 120  of  the  workers'  compen-
sation  law,  as  amended  by section 31 of part SS of chapter 54 of the
S. 6578                             6
FORM  FOR  INJURIES  RECEIVED IN THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT, or claimed or
attempted to claim any benefits provided under this chapter  or  because
§ 14. The opening paragraph of paragraph A of subdivision 6 of section
§ 15. The opening paragraph of subdivision 5 of  section  651  of  the
labor  law, as amended by chapter 503 of the laws of 2016, is amended to
employed  or  permitted  to  work: (a) on a casual basis in service as a
part time baby sitter in the home of the employer; (b) [in  labor  on  a
S. 6578                             7
state  or  municipal  government or political subdivision thereof; [(o)]
(N) as a volunteer at a recreational or amusement event run by  a  busi-
longer  than  eight  consecutive  days  and  no more than one such event
concerning substantially the same subject matter occurs in any  calendar
year,  where  (1) any such volunteer shall be at least eighteen years of
age, (2) a business seeking coverage under this paragraph  shall  notify
every  volunteer in writing, in language acceptable to the commissioner,
that by volunteering his or her services, such volunteer is waiving  his
or  her  right to receive the minimum wage pursuant to this article, and
(3) such notice shall be signed and dated by  a  representative  of  the
business  and the volunteer and kept on file by the business for thirty-
six months; or [(p)] (O) in the delivery of newspapers or shopping  news
to  the  consumer  by  a  person  who is not performing commercial goods
within the meaning of article twenty-five-C of this chapter. The  exclu-
§ 16. Subdivision 1 of section 674 of the labor law, as added by chap-
§  17.  Subdivision  2  of section 701 of the labor law, as amended by
chapter 43 of the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
2. (A) The term "employer" includes any person acting on behalf of  or
in  the interest of an employer, directly or indirectly, with or without
his knowledge, and shall include any person  who  is  the  purchaser  of
services performed by a person described in paragraph (b) of subdivision
three  of this section, but a labor organization or any officer or agent
S. 6578                             8
thereof shall only be considered an employer with respect to individuals
employed by such organization.
(B)  THE  TERM  "EMPLOYER" INCLUDES AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS.   THE TERM
"AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYER" SHALL MEAN ANY EMPLOYER ENGAGED  IN  CULTIVATING
THE  SOIL  OR IN RAISING OR HARVESTING ANY AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL
COMMODITY INCLUDING CUSTOM HARVESTING OPERATORS, AND  EMPLOYERS  ENGAGED
IN THE BUSINESS OF CROPS, LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS AS DEFINED IN
SECTION  THREE  HUNDRED ONE OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW, OR OTHER
SIMILAR AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES.
§ 18. Section 703 of the labor law is amended by adding a new undesig-
nated paragraph to read as follows:
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, FOR FARM LABORERS THE TERM
"CONCERTED ACTIVITIES" SHALL NOT INCLUDE A  RIGHT  TO  STRIKE  OR  OTHER
CONCERTED STOPPAGE OF WORK OR SLOWDOWN.
§  19.  The labor law is amended by adding a new section 704-b to read
§ 704-B. UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES. 1. IT SHALL BE AN UNFAIR LABOR  PRAC-
TICE  FOR  A  FARM LABORER OR AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING FARM
LABORERS TO STRIKE ANY AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYER. THE  TERM  "STRIKE"  SHALL
MEAN,  FOR  THE  PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, ANY STRIKE OR OTHER CONCERTED
STOPPAGE OF WORK OR SLOWDOWN BY FARM LABORERS.
2. IT SHALL BE AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE FOR AN  AGRICULTURAL  EMPLOYER
A.  LOCKOUT  ITS  LABORERS.  THE  TERM  "LOCKOUT"  SHALL MEAN, FOR THE
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, A  REFUSAL  BY  AN  AGRICULTURAL  EMPLOYER  TO
PERMIT  FARM  LABORERS  TO  WORK AS A RESULT OF A DISPUTE WITH SUCH FARM
LABORERS OR EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING SUCH FARM  LABORERS  THAT
AFFECTS  WAGES,  HOURS  AND  OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF
SUCH FARM LABORERS, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A LOCKOUT SHALL NOT  INCLUDE
A  TERMINATION  OF  EMPLOYMENT FOR GOOD CAUSE THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE SUCH
LABORERS EXERCISING ANY RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THIS ARTICLE;
B. REFUSE TO CONTINUE ALL THE TERMS OF AN EXPIRED  AGREEMENT  UNTIL  A
NEW AGREEMENT IS NEGOTIATED;
C.  DISCOURAGE  UNION  ORGANIZATION  OR TO DISCOURAGE AN EMPLOYEE FROM
PARTICIPATING  IN  A  UNION  ORGANIZING  DRIVE,  ENGAGING  IN  PROTECTED
CONCERTED  ACTIVITY, OR OTHERWISE EXERCISING THE RIGHTS GUARANTEED UNDER
3. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS TO BAR ANY PROCEEDING
BROUGHT PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FOUR OR SEVEN HUNDRED FIVE  OF
§ 20. Section 705 of the labor law is amended by adding a new subdivi-
sion 1-a to read as follows:
1-A. IF THE CHOICE AVAILABLE TO THE EMPLOYEES IN A NEGOTIATING UNIT IS
LIMITED  TO  SELECTING OR REJECTING A SINGLE EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, THAT
CHOICE SHALL BE ASCERTAINED BY THE BOARD ON THE BASIS OF DUES  DEDUCTION
AUTHORIZATIONS  INSTEAD  OF  BY  AN ELECTION. IN SUCH CASE, THE EMPLOYEE
ORGANIZATION INVOLVED WILL BE CERTIFIED WITHOUT AN ELECTION IF A MAJORI-
TY OF THE EMPLOYEES  WITHIN  THE  UNIT  HAVE  EXECUTED  A  SHOWING  DUES
DEDUCTIONS AUTHORIZATIONS.
§  21.  The labor law is amended by adding a new section 702-b to read
§ 702-B. IMPASSE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES FOR AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS  AND
FARM  LABORERS.    1.  FOR  PURPOSES  OF THIS SECTION, AN IMPASSE MAY BE
DEEMED TO EXIST IF THE PARTIES FAIL TO ACHIEVE AGREEMENT BY THE END OF A
FORTY-DAY PERIOD FROM THE DATE OF CERTIFICATION  OR  RECOGNITION  OF  AN
S. 6578                             9
EMPLOYEE  ORGANIZATION  OR  FROM  THE  EXPIRATION  DATE  OF A COLLECTIVE
2.  UPON IMPASSE, AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS OR RECOGNIZED EMPLOYEE ORGAN-
IZATIONS MAY REQUEST THE BOARD TO RENDER ASSISTANCE AS PROVIDED IN  THIS
SECTION.  IF  THE  BOARD  DETERMINES  AN IMPASSE EXISTS IN THE COURSE OF
COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN AN AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYER  AND  A  RECOG-
NIZED  EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, THE BOARD SHALL AID THE PARTIES IN EFFECT-
ING A VOLUNTARY RESOLUTION OF THE DISPUTE.
3. ON REQUEST OF EITHER PARTY, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF  THIS
SECTION, AND IN THE EVENT THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT AN IMPASSE EXISTS IN
COLLECTIVE  NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN SUCH EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION AND AN AGRI-
CULTURAL EMPLOYER AS TO THE CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF  FARM  LABORERS,
THE BOARD SHALL RENDER ASSISTANCE AS FOLLOWS:
A.  TO  ASSIST  THE  PARTIES  TO  EFFECT A VOLUNTARY RESOLUTION OF THE
DISPUTE, THE BOARD SHALL APPOINT A MEDIATOR FROM  A  LIST  OF  QUALIFIED
PERSONS MAINTAINED BY THE BOARD;
B.  IF  THE MEDIATOR IS UNABLE TO EFFECT SETTLEMENT OF THE CONTROVERSY
WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER HIS OR HER APPOINTMENT, EITHER PARTY MAY  PETI-
TION THE BOARD TO REFER THE DISPUTE TO A NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR;
C. UPON PETITION OF EITHER PARTY, THE BOARD SHALL REFER THE DISPUTE TO
A NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR AS HEREINAFTER PROVIDED;
I.  THE  NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR SHALL BE APPOINTED JOINTLY BY THE AGRICUL-
TURAL EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION WITHIN TEN DAYS  AFTER  RECEIPT
BY  THE  BOARD  OF  A PETITION FOR ARBITRATION.   EACH OF THE RESPECTIVE
PARTIES IS TO SHARE EQUALLY THE COST  OF  THE  NEUTRAL  ARBITRATOR.  IF,
WITHIN  SEVEN  DAYS  AFTER  THE  MAILING DATE, THE PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO
AGREE UPON THE NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR, THE BOARD SHALL SUBMIT TO THE PARTIES
A LIST OF QUALIFIED,  DISINTERESTED  PERSONS  FOR  THE  SELECTION  OF  A
NEUTRAL  ARBITRATOR.  EACH  PARTY SHALL ALTERNATELY STRIKE FROM THE LIST
ONE OF THE NAMES WITH THE ORDER OF STRIKING DETERMINED BY LOT, UNTIL THE
REMAINING ONE PERSON SHALL BE DESIGNATED AS THE NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR. THIS
PROCESS SHALL BE COMPLETED WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THIS LIST. THE
PARTIES SHALL NOTIFY THE BOARD OF THE DESIGNATED NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR;
II. THE NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR SHALL HOLD HEARINGS ON ALL MATTERS  RELATED
TO  THE  DISPUTE. THE PARTIES MAY BE HEARD EITHER IN PERSON, BY COUNSEL,
OR BY OTHER REPRESENTATIVES, AS THEY  MAY  RESPECTIVELY  DESIGNATE.  THE
PANEL MAY GRANT MORE THAN ONE ADJOURNMENT EACH FOR EACH PARTY; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  THAT  A  SECOND  REQUEST  OF  EITHER  PARTY AND ANY SUBSEQUENT
ADJOURNMENTS MAY BE GRANTED ON REQUEST OF EITHER  PARTY,  PROVIDED  THAT
THE PARTY WHICH REQUESTS THE ADJOURNMENT SHALL PAY THE ARBITRATOR'S FEE.
THE  PARTIES  MAY  PRESENT, EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, OR BOTH, STATE-
MENTS OF FACT, SUPPORTING WITNESSES AND OTHER EVIDENCE, AND ARGUMENT  OF
THEIR  RESPECTIVE  POSITIONS  WITH  RESPECT TO EACH CASE. THE ARBITRATOR
SHALL HAVE AUTHORITY  TO  REQUIRE  THE  PRODUCTION  OF  SUCH  ADDITIONAL
EVIDENCE,  EITHER  ORAL  OR  WRITTEN  AS  SHE  OR HE MAY DESIRE FROM THE
PARTIES AND SHALL PROVIDE AT THE REQUEST OF EITHER PARTY THAT A FULL AND
COMPLETE RECORD BE KEPT OF ANY SUCH HEARINGS, THE COST OF SUCH RECORD TO
BE BORNE BY THE REQUESTING PARTY. IF SUCH RECORD IS CREATED, IT SHALL BE
SHARED WITH BOTH PARTIES REGARDLESS OF WHICH PARTY PAID FOR IT;
III. THE ARBITRATOR SHALL MAKE A JUST AND REASONABLE DETERMINATION  OF
THE  MATTERS IN DISPUTE. IN ARRIVING AT SUCH DETERMINATION, THE ARBITRA-
TOR SHALL SPECIFY THE BASIS FOR HER OR HIS FINDINGS, TAKING INTO CONSID-
ERATION, IN ADDITION TO ANY FACTORS STIPULATED BY  THE  PARTIES  OR  ANY
OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS, THE FOLLOWING:
A.  COMPARISON OF THE WAGES, HOURS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF THE
EMPLOYEES INVOLVED IN THE ARBITRATION PROCEEDING WITH THE WAGES,  HOURS,
S. 6578                            10
AND  CONDITIONS  OF  EMPLOYMENT  OF  OTHER  EMPLOYEES PERFORMING SIMILAR
SERVICES OR REQUIRING SIMILAR SKILLS UNDER  SIMILAR  WORKING  CONDITIONS
AND  WITH OTHER EMPLOYEES GENERALLY IN AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT IN COMPA-
RABLE COMMUNITIES;
B.  THE  INTERESTS  AND WELFARE OF THE FARM LABORERS AND THE FINANCIAL
ABILITY OF THE AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYER TO PAY;
C.  COMPARISON  OF  PECULIARITIES  IN  REGARD  TO  OTHER   TRADES   OR
PROFESSIONS,  INCLUDING  SPECIFICALLY,  (I)  HAZARDS OF EMPLOYMENT; (II)
PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS; (III) EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS;  (IV)  MENTAL
QUALIFICATIONS; (V) JOB TRAINING AND SKILLS;
D.  THE  TERMS OF COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE PARTIES
IN THE PAST PROVIDING FOR COMPENSATION AND FRINGE BENEFITS; AND
E. THE IMPACT ON THE FOOD SUPPLY AND COMMODITY PRICING.
IV. THE DETERMINATION OF THE NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR  SHALL  BE  FINAL  AND
BINDING  UPON  THE  PARTIES FOR THE PERIOD PRESCRIBED BY THE ARBITRATOR,
BUT IN NO EVENT SHALL SUCH PERIOD EXCEED TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE OF  THE
ARBITRATOR'S DETERMINATION;
V.  THE DETERMINATION OF THE PUBLIC ARBITRATION PANEL SHALL BE SUBJECT
TO REVIEW BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE MANNER  PRESCRIBED
§  22.  The labor law is amended by adding a new section 674-a to read
§ 674-A. FARM LABORERS WAGE BOARD.   1. WAGE BOARD.  THE  COMMISSIONER
SHALL HEREBY CONVENE A FARM LABORERS WAGE BOARD. THE WAGE BOARD SHALL BE
COMPRISED  OF THREE MEMBERS:  ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FARM BUREAU, ONE
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NEW YORK STATE AFL-CIO AND ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY
THE COMMISSIONER, WHO SHALL BE SELECTED  FROM  THE  GENERAL  PUBLIC  AND
DESIGNATED  AS  CHAIRPERSON. THE WAGE BOARD SHALL HOLD ITS FIRST HEARING
NO LATER THAN MARCH FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY.    THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE
BOARD  SHALL  NOT  RECEIVE  A SALARY OR OTHER COMPENSATION, BUT SHALL BE
PAID ACTUAL AND  NECESSARY  TRAVELING  EXPENSES  WHILE  ENGAGED  IN  THE
2.  ORGANIZATION. TWO-THIRDS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL CONSTI-
TUTE A QUORUM.  THE CHAIRPERSON MAY FROM TIME TO  TIME  FORMULATE  RULES
GOVERNING  THE MANNER IN WHICH THE WAGE BOARD SHALL FUNCTION AND PERFORM
ITS DUTIES UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
3. POWERS. THE WAGE BOARD SHALL HAVE POWER TO CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS.
THE BOARD MAY ALSO CONSULT WITH AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS AND  FARM  LABOR-
ERS,  AND THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES, IN THE OCCUPATION OR OCCUPA-
TIONS INVOLVED, AND WITH SUCH OTHER PERSONS, INCLUDING THE  COMMISSIONER
AND  THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS, AS IT SHALL DETERMINE.
THE BOARD SHALL ALSO HAVE POWER TO ADMINISTER OATHS AND  TO  REQUIRE  BY
SUBPOENA  THE  ATTENDANCE AND TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES, AND THE PRODUCTION
OF ALL BOOKS, RECORDS, AND OTHER EVIDENCE RELATIVE TO ANY MATTERS  UNDER
INQUIRY. SUCH SUBPOENAS SHALL BE SIGNED AND ISSUED BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF
THE  BOARD AND SHALL BE SERVED AND HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS IF ISSUED OUT
OF THE SUPREME COURT. THE BOARD SHALL HAVE POWER TO CAUSE DEPOSITIONS OF
WITNESSES RESIDING WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE TO BE TAKEN IN THE MANNER
PRESCRIBED FOR LIKE DEPOSITIONS IN CIVIL ACTIONS IN THE  SUPREME  COURT.
THE  BOARD SHALL NOT BE BOUND BY COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY RULES OF PROCE-
DURE OR EVIDENCE.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS. WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF THE APPOINTMENT  OF  THE
WAGE  BOARD,  THE  BOARD  SHALL  CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS. THE WAGE BOARD
SHALL ONLY MEET WITHIN THE STATE AND MUST HOLD AT LEAST  THREE  HEARINGS
AT WHICH THE PUBLIC WILL BE AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMENTS.
AT  LEAST  ONE  SPANISH  LANGUAGE  INTERPRETER  SHALL BE PRESENT AT EACH
S. 6578                            11
PUBLIC HEARING TO INTERPRET ORAL TESTIMONY DELIVERED IN SPANISH. WHERE A
WITNESS REVEALS THE NEED FOR AN INTERPRETER IN  A  LANGUAGE  OTHER  THAN
SPANISH,  TO  THE  EXTENT  PRACTICABLE,  AN INTERPRETER IN THAT LANGUAGE
SHALL  BE  PROVIDED.  ANY  MATERIALS  ADVERTISING SUCH HEARINGS SHALL BE
BILINGUAL IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. ANY WRITTEN MATERIALS DISBURSED AT THE
HEARING OR SUBSEQUENT TO THE HEARING, INCLUDING  WRITTEN  TESTIMONY  AND
HEARING TRANSCRIPTS, SHALL BE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND, TO THE
EXTENT PRACTICABLE, ANY OTHER LANGUAGE UPON REQUEST.
5.  REPORT. THE WAGE BOARD SHALL MAKE A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE
LEGISLATURE, INCLUDING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO OVERTIME WORK FOR  FARM
LABORERS. THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD SHALL BE SUBMITTED
ONLY  AFTER  A  VOTE  OF  NOT LESS THAN A MAJORITY OF ALL ITS MEMBERS IN
SUPPORT OF SUCH REPORT  AND  RECOMMENDATIONS.    SUCH  REPORT  SHALL  BE
SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY.  THE
OVERTIME  RATES  RECOMMENDED BY THE WAGE BOARD SHALL NOT BE IN EXCESS OF
SIXTY HOURS, AND THE WAGE BOARD SHALL SPECIFICALLY CONSIDER  THE  EXTENT
TO WHICH OVERTIME HOURS CAN BE LOWERED BELOW SUCH AMOUNT SET IN LAW, AND
MAY  PROVIDE FOR A SERIES OF SUCCESSIVELY LOWER OVERTIME WORK THRESHOLDS
AND PHASE-IN DATES AS PART OF ITS DETERMINATIONS.
6. THE WAGE BOARD SHALL CONSIDER EXISTING OVERTIME RATES IN  SIMILARLY
SITUATED  INDUSTRIES  IN  NEW  YORK STATE. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THE WAGE
BOARD'S REPORT OR RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL DIMINISH OR  LIMIT  ANY  RIGHTS,
PROTECTIONS,  BENEFITS  OR  ENTITLEMENTS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO ANY FARM
7. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL COMPLY WITH SECTION SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX OF
THIS CHAPTER UPON RECEIPT  OF  THE  WAGE  BOARD'S  RECOMMENDATIONS.  THE
COMMISSIONER  MAY  RECONVENE  THE  SAME WAGE BOARD OR APPOINT A NEW WAGE
BOARD IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE OF THIS CHAPTER.
§ 23. Subdivision 2 of section 564 of  the  labor  law  is  renumbered
subdivision 3 and a new subdivision 2 is added to read as follows:
2.  EXCLUSION  FROM  COVERAGE.  FOR  PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION THE TERM
"EMPLOYMENT" SHALL NOT INCLUDE SERVICES RENDERED BY AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS
ADMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES TO PERFORM AGRICULTURAL LABOR PURSUANT  TO
8 USC 1188 IF, AT THE TIME SUCH SERVICES ARE RENDERED, THEY ARE EXCLUDED
FROM  THE  DEFINITION  OF  EMPLOYMENT  IN SECTION 3306(C) OF THE FEDERAL
UNEMPLOYMENT TAX ACT.
§ 24. Severability. If any word, phrase, clause, sentence,  paragraph,
subdivision,  section or part of this article or the application thereof
to any person or circumstances shall be adjudged invalid by a  court  of
competent  jurisdiction, such order or judgment shall be confined in its
operation to the controversy in which it was  rendered,  and  shall  not
affect  or  invalidate  the  remainder  of  this  article,  but shall be
confined in its operation to the word, phrase, clause,  sentence,  para-
graph,  subdivision,  section  or  part thereof directly involved in the
§ 25. This act shall take effect January 1,  2020;  provided,  however
that  the provisions of section nine of this act shall take effect Janu-