I am with you this afternoon to make sure you know that the Assembly Majority is standing with the farm workers.

That this state, which was built by hardworking, immigrant families;

That this state, which takes so much pride in standing up for civil rights and social justice;

Allows farm workers to be denied a fair day's pay for a fair day's work … denied a day of rest … denied safe and sanitary working conditions … denied unemployment insurance and workers' compensation … is disgraceful and all New Yorkers should be ashamed!

Where is the justice in treating farmworkers this way? Where is the justice?

Years ago, the Assembly Majority led the fight - and we won the fight - to cover farm workers under the minimum wage law. Year after year, we have passed the Farm Workers Bill of Rights.

Now, with the leadership of our Labor Committee Chair, Assembly Member Susan John and her predecessor, Assembly Member Cathy Nolan (the sponsor of our legislation), and with the support of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, we intend to pass the "Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act" because it is time to put an end to this disgrace.

It is time to give farmworkers the fairness and justice you have earned.

I promise you this, I will not stop fighting - the Assembly Majority will not stop fighting - until farmworkers receive from this state all of the dignity and the respect that you deserve.

Justice for Farmworkers!

SI SE PUEDE!