From Marin IJ: "Marin's representatives in Sacramento this week side-stepped legislation expanding overtime pay for farmworkers.
Dominic Grossi, a West Marin dairy farmer, former Marin County Farm Bureau president, and candidate for county supervisor, said, "I would have voted against it."
Grossi said Marin farmers would have to pay overtime because they are relatively small and typically employ no more than a handful of workers, while much larger farming operations in the Central Valley could avoid paying overtime by hiring more workers and giving each worker fewer hours.
"The people who are going to get hurt are the workers because they're going to get their hours cut," Grossi said.
Grossi said he employs two agricultural workers in his dairy, both of whom live on his farm.
"Almost every dairy up here supplies housing," Grossi said. "It's a significant cost that people don't think about."
Dennis Rodoni, who is competing with Grossi for the District 4 seat on the Board of Supervisors, said that wages and housing for farmworkers need to be improved, "but I don't know if this is the right bill because I really haven't had a chance to study it.""
FULL STORY:
http://www.marinij.com/governm...