Farm workers fight new overtime law in Washington

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Starting this month, farmers will be required to pay their workers overtime when they log more than 40 hours a week. The law was passed in 2021 but took several years to kick in. 

Hundreds of farm workers, many from central and eastern Washington took to the state capitol Thursday. They said they are, of course, not against being paid overtime. The group said the reality of this new law is their employees are capping their hours at 40 hours a week resulting in less pay overall.

Father and son Rojelio and Jose Valdez work in the pear orchards in Cashmere, Washington.