Rep. Grijalva calls on Biden to update labor laws for farmworkers on César Chávez Day
TUCSON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) published an opinion-editorial letter in honor of César Chávez Day requesting President Biden to pay fair wages and create a heat standard for farmworkers.
On what would be Chávez's 95th birthday, Rep. Grijalva urged Pres. Biden to update labor laws and demanded a federal permanent heat standard.
"Today, we’re asking President Biden to act on the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ recommendation for a national heat standard and call on Congress to pass the Fairness for Farm Workers Act to update the nation’s labor laws to ensure farmworkers receive overtime pay, just like everyone else," Rep. Grijalva wrote. "We must ensure that the men and women who harvest our food receive the wages they have earned and need.”
A heat standard is a widely accepted safety measure where temperature and weather conditions are taken into consideration so employees are able to stop working for their safety.
“Today, March 31, is marked as César Chávez Day. It’s a day to honor the legacy of the labor activist, co-founder of the farmworkers labor movement and what is now the United Farm Workers, who fought for dignity, livable wages and fair working conditions for these too often overlooked workers throughout his life," Rep. Grijalva wrote.
