ONTARIO
A bill in the Oregon House that would require agricultural workers be paid overtime for hours worked beyond 40 hours per week brought our people to argue for and against the issue with farmers solidly against the proposal.
House Bill 2358 was heard by the House Committee on Business and Labor by video Monday afternoon. According to testimony given by several people, the exemption from overtime pay for agriculture was granted by Congress during the 1930s.
During her testimony during the hearing, Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Lake Oswego, said the exemption was racist since it involved Black workers when it was put in place and now involve Latino workers.