Farm Workers’ Rights

January 1, 2001

Subject: A.5275 (Nolan) / S. 2248 (Mendez)

AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to collective bargaining rights for farm laborers.

Position: SUPPORT

This bill would amend the labor law by removing farm laborers from the list of workers excluded from coverage under the New York State Labor Relations Act. The NYCLU supports the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively as these rights are aspects of freedom of association. Therefore, we urge the passage of this bill.

Farm laborers are currently excluded from the protected categories of workers covered by the New York State Labor Relations Act, they are not guaranteed the rights given to other workers by section 703 of the Act. These rights include “the right of self organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in concerted activities, for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, free from interference, restraint, or coercion of employers.”

The NYCLU believes that the rights to organize and bargain collectively are aspects of freedom of association. Employees, through their association with other persons in a labor union, may seek working conditions they believe should govern their employment, and through collective bargaining pursue the realization of their aims. Organization for the purposes of negotiation, furtherance of interests, and mutual protection is a civil liberty, shared by private and public employees alike.

The NYCLU urges the passage of this bill.