New Local 338 Members Making History at Pindar Vineyard

Local 338 is proud to be making history alongside the workers of the Pindar Vineyard in Peconic (Suffolk County) who have officially joined our union family! On September 27th , the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) certified Local 338 as the union to represent twelve agricultural workers – the very first in New York State.

Before New York’s passage of historic Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act in 2019, agricultural and farm workers were deprived of many basic workplace protections we take for granted, including the right to organize and join a union. Essential workplace protections such as worksite safety standards, salary raises, overtime pay, and contractual employment obligations were not guaranteed to many of these workers. Pindar employees, along with all farm and agricultural workers, deserve fair workplace representation and union benefits for their exceptionally hard work and what their work brings to each of us, every day.

New Local 338 member and Pindar field worker Rodolfo M. shared, “My coworkers at Pindar and I joined Local 338 because we want dignity and respect. Our work should be valued and only by receiving equal treatment and things like sick days and paid time off to spend with our loved ones will it be. We know that being a union member will help us get the recognition we deserve for all of our efforts.”

Agricultural workers serve a vital role in not only our communities and individual lives, but also our regional and national economy. The importance of their work cannot be overstated, and we are proud to represent the very first union farmworkers in New York State!

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