Mills' farmworker minimum wage bill seen as progress but still creates 'second-class' workers

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Mills' farmworker minimum wage bill seen as progress but still creates 'second-class' workers

A bill supported by Gov. Janet Mills to make farmworkers subject to the state minimum wage would be a significant step toward rectifying a historical wrong, labor advocates say, but still would leave them as second-class workers in other regards. LD 2273, a bill introduced by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) on behalf of Mills, would make farmworkers eligible to earn the minimum wage, which is currently $14.15 per hour. However, Mil…