IRVINE, CA - After a delay from its original vote date last Thursday, August 25, the California Assembly approved AB 1066 as amended by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez.

Tom Nassif, President and CEO of Western Growers, responded to the passage from the assembly with disappointment.

“We are extremely disappointed in the decision of the California State Assembly to pass AB 1066 by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez,” Nassif said, according to a statement.

The bill, which will now go to California Governor Jerry Brown, calls for the removal of the state’s current exemption for agricultural employees “regarding hours, meal breaks, and other working conditions, including specified wage requirements, and would create a schedule that would phase in overtime requirements for agricultural workers, as defined, over the course of 4 years, from 2019 to 2022, inclusive,” according to the legislation.

“If signed by Governor Brown, the increased overtime costs imposed on California family farmers will compound newly enacted minimum wage increases set to reach $15 per hour by 2022,” Nassif continued. “A recent economic analysis concludes that the combination of these two measures will significantly reduce both farmworker income and agricultural production in the state.”

AB 1066 has been cause for controversy in the state, one side arguing that the bill serves to bring further equality to workers, while the other contests it could cost too much and eventually cut hours, and therefore wages, for workers.

California Fresh Fruit Association’s President, George Radanovich, also expressed regret at the decision announced. “Today’s vote by the Assembly was disappointing to say the least. For those members who voted in favor of this bill to not acknowledge the devastating impacts that it will have on both farm employees and employers is inexcusable,” Radanovich said.

Western Growers stated that California is one of only five states that provide overtime to farmworkers, and the only state that requires daily overtime after 10 hours. Additionally, Nassif added, California hosts a number of other industries besides agriculture that have exceptions and complete exemptions from the eight-hour overtime requirement.

“The members who voted for this bill have placed California farms at an even further competitive disadvantage internationally and with other states,” Nassif stated. “Employers in all industries intentionally manage overtime costs, which are generally reserved for anomalies in the workday or workweek.”

Agriculture, in particular, Western Growers argued has limited opportunities for workers to earn, due to seasonality, with AB 1066 reducing the number of available hours.

“For these reasons, AB 1066 has faced broad opposition from both California family farmers and their employees and must be vetoed by the Governor,” Nassif concluded.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this story as it develops further.

Western Growers