Daily Kos: his week in the War on Workers: Do farm workers deserve the same protections as animals?

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/08/1129034/-This-week-in-the-War-on-Workers-Do-farm-workers-deserve-the-same-protections-as-animals

By Laura ClawsonFollow for Daily Kos Labor

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Some things you should know:

Since 2005, at least 16 farm workers have died due to heat illness.

In California, farm workers don't have the same heat protections under the law as animals do. But there's a bill that could change that—if Gov. Jerry Brown will sign it:

AB 2676 requires that farm workers must be given “continuous, ready access” to shade and enough “suitably cool” water for each employee to drink one quart per hour throughout their eight- to 10-hour work shift. Employers would be guilty of a misdemeanor subject to a six-month jail term and a fine of up to $10,000, increasing to one year in jail and a $25,000 fine if the worker-victim suffers injury.

FULL story at link.

[Lucy Goosey]

1. "In California, farm workers don't have the same heat protections under the law as animals do."

Uh, holy shit. That is a great way to frame this issue; it obviously needs to change.