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Farmworker’s rights march to Albany stops in Ridgewood

By Bill Parry

Nearly two dozen farmworkers and their advocates stopped by the Ridgewood Democratic Club Friday for lunch and a chance to rest their feet as state Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Long Island City) welcomed them to the event.

The “March for Farmworker Justice” began in Smithtown, L.I., Sunday, spreading their message and gaining support for passage of the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act in Albany, which they hope to reach by June 1, after walking more than 200 miles.

The bill would establish an eight-hour workday for farmworkers with a day of rest each week, employers would provide workers compensation benefits to farmworkers injured on the job and unemployment for those laid off and it would allow farmworkers to vote for a union and negotiate collectively. The bill would also require that housing facilities set aside for farmworkers meet basic standards of the Sanitary Code.

Nolan, who has championed the cause for the last 20 years, hosted the luncheon for the marchers before they headed towards the Brooklyn Bridge for a noon rally in Union Square Saturday. The farmworkers have been sleeping in churches along the way each night.

“We’re honored that the Farmworkers Coalition would pick us,” Nolan said. “There is a history at this club of supporting low-wage workers through support of labor.”

The farmworkers put food on our tables every day but are excluded from basic labor law protections that apply to every other worker, Nolan said. U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn), who represents parts of Ridgewood, Maspeth, Woodhaven and Ozone Park, arrived as the farmworkers were finishing their meal.

“To have to fight for bargaining rights and labor protection in 2016 is shameful — we’re better than that.” she said. “We have to protect everyone in this country who puts food on our table. We have to make a better tomorrow for our children and for all children.”

Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4538.