Farm Workers Wage Bill Plows Ahead Despite Concerns It May Harm Farms — and Workers

Maine’s House of Representatives voted Tuesday to require that farmworkers be paid the state minimum wage despite concerns that artificially setting the price of labor will lead to farmers no longer being able to hire young, elderly, or disabled workers.

The bill, if it becomes law, would effectively prohibit Mainers from agreeing to work at a wage that is less than the hourly rate that the state government has determined is appropriate.

[RELATED: Maine Governor Introduces Legislation to Establish Minimum Wage for Farm Workers…]

“I hope that we can consider all the ramifications that this bill would entail if it were to pass. There are considerable negative consequences of this. The farm community already feels like they’re under assault from this body, I hope we don’t continue down that road, I hope that we can defeat this bill,” said Rep. Richard Bradstreet (R-Vassalboro), in the house shortly before the bill passed.

LD 2273 is a governor’s bill, originally proposed by Gov. Janet Mills (D) and presented by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland), which mandates that all agricultural workers receive at least the state minimum wage of $14.15 per hour.

That minimum wage will then increase every year on January 1 based on the percentage increase in the cost of living from the previous year.

The bill will also require farmers to keep detailed records of hours worked by employees and wages paid.

Farm owners will also be required to issue employees standard pay stubs whenever they issue payment, including the hours worked, the date of the paycheck, and all deductions.

Employers are forbidden from making special contracts with employees to circumvent the new minimum wage rules.

If an employer is in violations of the new laws, employees can bring action against them, and farmers can be charged a fine of up to $200 in addition to being forced to pay the employee any wages owed.

The bill does not, however, require that farmworkers be given the same overtime standards as other industries.

Currently, farms are not required to give their workers any overtime pay, regardless of the number of hours over 40 that they work in a week.

The bill passed through the house with a 72-70 vote, split largely along party lines.

None of the house Republicans voted in favor of the bill, but five Democrats broke with their party to oppose the bill.

During house proceedings, Rep. Scott Cyrway (R-Albion) and Rep. Tiffany Strout (R-Harrington) voiced their concerns that the bill will prevent children from getting their first jobs and learning responsibility and developing a work ethic.

“What I am concerned about are things where kids, 12-16, get the opportunity to go out and do these jobs also, and so when it comes to businesses hiring people that they know are able to accomplish more than the minimum wage and get the work done, they’re going to hire those over those children that are first time rakers at 12 years old, the families that are coming out to supplement their income during the summer months. It’s taking away the opportunity for kids to learn the work ethic,” said Rep. Strout.

Rep. Cyrway highlighted his time growing up on a farm, and expressed concerns that the new bill would effectively stop farms from paying high school and middle school students based on the quality of their work, providing no incentive for children to learn a strong work ethic.

After passing through the house, the bill will move on to be considered in the Senate.