OLYMPIA, Wash. — Some potential relief for dairy farmers passed the Washington Senate this week.
A recent state Supreme Court ruling opened dairy farmers to 3 years of potential retroactive liability for overtime pay.
Senate Bill 5172 stipulates all dairy workers would immediately receive time-and-a-half pay for hours worked over 40 in a week.
It shields dairies and other farms from lawsuits seeking to apply the state Supreme Court ruling retroactively.
Other ag workers would see phased in overtime thresholds, starting at 55 hours per week next year.
The Capital Press reports dairies have already adjusted to the November Supreme Court ruling, paying employees overtime.
The Washington Dairy Federation estimates 90 to 120 million dollars in back pay claims would be faced by dairies if the bill is not passed by the House and signed into law.