Oregon’s agriculture industry is already grappling with the aftermath of the recent agricultural overtime law, which has led to worker dissatisfaction and reduced work hours.

Now, HB 2548 proposes a sweeping, one-size-fits-all mandate that could force many family farms and ranches out of business.

HB 2548 disregards the significant protections already in place for farmworkers and threatens to fast-track new, burdensome bureaucracy that could cripple Oregon’s agricultural industry.

HB 2548 eliminates the relationship between employers and workers

The bill undermines the relationship between farm employers and workers by transferring critical decisions about staffing, wages, benefits, and training to an unelected, unaccountable, bureaucratic body. Farmers would be stripped of their ability to make management decisions.

Threatens the survival of family farms and ranches

HB 2548 targets an industry that largely cannot adjust prices to account for rising labor costs. Oregon’s agricultural sector exports 80% of its produce, competing not just with other local farms, but with international growers in Mexico, Guatemala, Turkey, and beyond. By raising operational costs for Oregon farmers, the bill diminishes their competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.

Oregon’s farmers are already struggling with labor shortages and rising costs. Additional mandates from a workplace standards board would only increase these challenges, potentially driving family farms out of business and eliminating jobs on the farm.

Accelerates job loss

Contrary to claims that farmworkers lack workplace protections, Oregon already boasts some of the strongest labor laws in the nation, which apply equally to farmworkers. The idea that farmworkers need additional protections through HB 2548 is not supported by the facts.

Unable to absorb the increased wage, hour, and benefit costs imposed by HB 2548, many family farmers would be forced to reduce their workforce or, in some cases, sell their farms or ranches altogether. As a result, farm workers could lose work hours or their jobs.

HB 2548 ignores decades of work the Oregon legislature has undertaken to protect farmworkers and other vulnerable workers.

HB 2548 Ends At-Will Employment for Agriculture

“NO” on eliminating at-will employment

Oregon law currently allows for at-will employment, meaning both employers and employees can terminate the employment relationship without notice or cause, except in specific cases like public employment or contracts. All industries in Oregon are considered at-will, including farms and ranches. HB 2548 would dramatically alter this structure, creating significant challenges and litigation risk for agricultural employers.

HB 2548 puts Oregon’s farm and ranch families into an untenable position:

• Shift in Burden of Proof: HB 2548 would require employers to prove the reasonableness of a termination, shifting the burden to them. This could leave family farms and ranches vulnerable to costly litigation, as they would need to defend against employment claims, even in situations involving market conditions, poor yields, or weather events.

• Increased Litigation Costs: Family farms already face enormous financial strain. It costs around $75,000 just to settle a claim before it reaches court. Adding legal risks will only increase financial pressure, especially for small, family-run operations.

• Economic Hardships: Many Oregon farms are already struggling with poor yields and low commodity prices. Most will spend the next several years recovering from cash losses incurred in 2023 and 2024. HB 2548 adds another layer of uncertainty that could force family farms into financial ruin.

• Impediments to Staffing Flexibility: HB 2548 limits necessary flexibility for staffing and termination decisions, making it harder for employers to navigate the unpredictability of farming. This could lead to difficulty in hiring and maintaining a workforce.

• HB 2548 threatens the livelihood of family farms and ranches by imposing unnecessary legal burdens. It increases costs and limits the flexibility needed to manage agricultural businesses. At a time when family farms are struggling to stay afloat, the legislature should reject this punitive concept.

HB 2548 threatens the livelihood of family farms and ranches by imposing unnecessary legal burdens. It increases costs and limits the flexibility needed to manage agricultural businesses. At a time when family farms are struggling to stay afloat, the legislature should reject this punitive concept.