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Farmworker Overtime Bill Passes California Legislature

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California lawmakers have approved legislation to apply the same overtime laws to people who sow and harvest food as those who pack it and work in other industries.

The United Farm Workers union says California would be the first state to require that farmworkers receive extra pay after eight hours.

California employers are already mandated to pay time-and-a half to farmworkers after 10 hours in a day or 60 hours in a week. That's longer than the overtime pay for other workers, who get it after eight hours in a day or 40 hours a week.

Opponents say the seasonal nature of farm work does not lend itself to overtime and may cause cuts to hours.

The Assembly approved AB1066 44-32 on Monday, sending it to Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown.

 

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

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