10 Mar HB 2548 – Farmworker Standards Board Testimony Toolkit

HB 2548 – Farmworker Standards Board
Testimony Toolkit

Background:

For generations, farmworkers have been excluded from key labor protections such as the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. These exclusions have resulted in farmworkers being one of the lowest paid workers in the state and inadequate working conditions. Creating a Farmworker Standards Board will ensure that farmworkers voices have a say in setting industry standards and correcting historic exclusions. Cities and states across the country have proven that workforce standards boards work. These boards bring workers together with industry and public representatives to set meaningful standards, with real enforcement power to ensure accountability. From New York’s farm laborers to Minnesota’s nursing home staff to Seattle’s domestic workers, these boards give workers the voice and protections they deserve and give our communities the essential food we need.

Directions (Submitting Written Testimony)

• Submit directly to OLIS
• Visit HB2548 2025 Regular Session – Oregon Legislative Information System
• Click “Submit Testimony”
  • Fill out the information
    • Name, email address
    • “Point on Measure”
    • Select “SUPPORT”
• Add your testimony by typing it into the box (max 4,000 characters) OR attach a PDF.
• If you need help submitting your testimony on OLIS, please contact us at info@pcun.org

IMPORTANT DATES:

Submission Start Date: March 6, 2025

Submission Deadline: March 12, 2025 at 3:00PM

Final Deadline to Submit Written Testimony: March 14, 2025 at 3:00PM

Testimony Template

TO: House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards

FROM: Your name

SUBJECT: Yes on HB 2548

Dear Chair Grayber, Vice-Chairs Elmer and Muñoz, and Members of the Committee,

My name is _______, I live in_________ and I am writing in strong support of HB 2548 to create a Farmworker Standards Board in Oregon.

There are over 72,000 Oregon farmworkers, who put food on our tables and contribute over $6.4B to our state’s economy, yet they experience poor working conditions and earn an average of just $34,500 annually. Most farmworkers are immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, and Central America, many of whom speak an Indigenous language. 

HB 2548 will give historically excluded workers their first voice in setting industry standards with real enforcement power and accountability. The board will ensure access to fair wages, safe conditions, and protection from retaliation

Cities and states across the country have proven that workforce standards boards work. These boards bring workers together with industry and public representatives to set meaningful standards, with real enforcement power to ensure accountability. From New York’s farm laborers to Minnesota’s nursing home staff to Seattle’s domestic workers, these boards give workers the voice and protections they deserve and give our communities the essential food we need.

[INSERT OWN WRITING HERE PLEASE!]

Add WHY you are in support of the Farmworker Standards Board.

Talk about personal experiences if you or family members are farmworkers.

Talk about WHY farmworkers deserve stronger wages and worker protections.

 

I  urge you to vote YES on HB 2548 to create a Farmworker Standards Board and give farmworkers the ability to set standards for the industry. 

 

Sincerely,

Name