312 - Differences in Farm Labor Protections on the National and State Levels: Impact on Farmers and Farm Labor in New York.

Using qualitative research methods, Skylar Reed highlights how recent state legislation has exacerbated existing tensions between New York farm owners and migrant farm workers. Until recently, the agricultural sector has not been included in the era of progressive labor reforms occurring in other sectors; however, new labor legislation in New York has created better working conditions for farm workers. Yet, these new policies now put New York farm owners at a competitive disadvantage compared to other states that use less restrictive national agricultural labor laws. Through content, policy, and interview analyses, Reed’s research explores how the differences between farm labor laws enacted in NYS and farm labor laws used in other states impact farmers and farm labor in New York. Reed’s findings highlight discrepancies between national farm labor laws and New York farm labor laws and illustrate how these legislative changes are contributing to ongoing tensions between farm owners and migrant workers.