NFWM Files Complaints with NC Legislature Ethics Committee about S615

Ms. Taylor’s announcement said, in part, “Senator Jackson is the owner of a diversified farm in Autryville, NC and employs over 100 workers to plant, cultivate, and harvest numerous crops. A group of his employees have joined the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC). In 2015, seven employees filed a federal civil claim against Senator Jackson’s farm, seeking back wages for time worked while “off the clock.” In 2016, these seven were not hired back to the farm. They amended their claims in court to include retaliation through the help of their union, FLOC. After a mediation session, these claims were resolved through a financial settlement that was given final approval by a federal court judge this month.

In late June, Senator Jackson cosponsored Senate Bill 615 which made it illegal for farmers to agree to deduct voluntary union dues from workers who want to pay those dues. It also made it illegal for a farmer and his or her workers to reach a legal settlement that includes an agreement with a labor union.The bill was clearly aimed at stopping FLOC and their members from achieving sufficient resources to continue their work.”