Democrats in the Colorado Legislature are pushing a bill that would enhance protections for agricultural workers, a category that doesn't have many of the same employee rights as other industries.
"Instead of being grateful to them, we treat them as being expendable. If you break, no problem, we’ll replace you," says Angeles Mendez, regional organizer for the Western Slope for Project Protect Food Systems, a Colorado organization dedicated to ensuring that agricultural workers are protected while they work. "At what point will we start treating people like people, like humans, instead of modern slavery?"
Senate Bill 087 would give agricultural workers the right to unionize and strike, and also make them eligible to be paid Colorado's minimum wage, which is currently $12.32 per hour. (Certain municipalities have a higher rate.) SB-087 would also regulate overtime pay for agricultural workers and mandate scheduled meal breaks and rest periods. If the bill becomes law, aggrieved workers would have a legal path to remedy violations.