The Ongoing Fight for Labor Justice
Honoring Black History Month and Farmworker Rights

As we conclude Black History Month, it’s crucial to reflect on the ongoing struggle for labor justice and the deep-rooted legacy of racism that has shaped labor practices in our country. Throughout history, Black workers have been at the forefront of organizing for fair wages, better working conditions, and respect for all people. Today in Massachusetts and across the nation, this fight for justice continues, particularly in the agricultural sector where many workers are still denied basic labor protections.

The Legacy of Racism in Labor Laws

The exclusion of farmworkers from critical labor rights is not accidental. It is a direct result of racism dating back to the exploitation of African Americans during and after slavery. In the 1930s, Southern lawmakers successfully lobbied to exempt farmworkers from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), ensuring that the majority Black workforce did not receive the same rights and protections to minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and employment standards as the white workforce. Without these protections, farmworkers remained vulnerable to exploitation1. This racist legacy persists today, as farmworkers—who are still predominantly people of color—continue to be excluded from basic labor protections that other workers enjoy.  As a result, farmworkers continue to experience  poverty and unsafe working conditions.

The Fairness for Farmworkers Act: $8 is not Justice

In Massachusetts, the Fairness for Farmworkers Coalition, co-led by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Central West Justice Center, Pioneer Valley Workers Center, and more, is leading the charge for the Fairness for Farmworkers Act (FFA), a bill that would finally guarantee essential protections for farmworkers2. The FFA aims to:

• Guarantee a $15 minimum wage for farmworkers
• Provide overtime pay
• Ensure paid breaks and paid time off

This legislation seeks to correct the historic injustice of farmworker exclusion from labor protections and ensure that those who sustain our agricultural economy are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Currently, agricultural workers in Massachusetts continue to be excluded from wage-and-hour laws. State law still allows farmworkers to earn as little as $8.00 an hour, work entire farming seasons without a required day of rest, and not earn overtime pay despite working on average 60 or more hours a week. This unjust reality underscores the urgent need for change. 

The fight for labor justice is ongoing, and it’s crucial that we continue to break down the barriers of racial and economic inequality that have oppressed farmworkers for generations. At MLRI, we stand in solidarity with farmworkers, pushing for legislation that uplifts all workers, regardless of race or background.

Looking Forward: Steps Toward Justice

As we honor Black History Month and the contributions of Black workers to the labor movement, we must recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for economic, social, and racial justice. The Fairness for Farmworkers Act represents a significant step towards rectifying historical injustices and ensuring that all workers in Massachusetts are treated fairly and with respect.

By supporting legislation like the FFA and continuing to advocate for comprehensive labor protections, we can work towards a future where all workers, regardless of their background or occupation, are afforded the rights and dignity they deserve. The fight for labor justice is not just about fair wages and working conditions—it’s about recognizing the inherent worth and humanity of every worker.