iStock/Getty Images In Washington state, a sharply divided Supreme Court declared that dairy workers will now get overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week.
The Supreme Court for the state of Washington found on November 5, 2020, that a Washington State provision exempting agricultural workers from overtime pay violated the state’s constitution.
Dan Wood, executive director, Washington State Dairy Federation, noted that many farms paid $18 -$20 an hour for all hours worked. Wood noted, “You can’t operate with these costs.” The decision was supported by 5 justices and 4 justices dissented.
A separate opinion was written by Justice Steven Gonzalez. He indicated farm workers “…labor in arduous and dangerous conditions. Farmworkers are exposed to pesticides, use hazardous machinery, and work long hours in extreme heat and cold.” He also noted the racist origins of the overtime exemption for farmworkers. He said, “To obtain the suppo