House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

Posted:	September 20, 2019 01:43 PM
From:	Representative Dan L. Miller
To:	All House members
Subject:	Farm Laborers Collective Bargaining Act

In a time of massive income inequality and worker exploitation, I think it is important that we take steps to improve workplace safety and increase bargaining strength for Pennsylvanian workers. Therefore, I will be introducing a bill that allows Pennsylvania’s hard-working agriculture workers to unionize if they so choose. Currently, agriculture laborers are one of only two classes of workers who are excluded from protection under the NLRA. Eleven states such as Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, and most recently New York, have recognized this injustice and have extended such rights on the state level. Like New York, this bill makes organizing simple by allowing workers to form a union once a majority signs an authorization card. It also sets a process of mediation and arbitration in relation to contract impasses, requires a day off each calendar week, and sets overtime options at 60 hours a week. In order to provide more options for Pennsylvania workers to be safe and to thrive- especially when working a challenging job in the agriculture industry, I think this is a critical piece of legislation that I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring.
View Attachment

Introduced as HB1866