An act relating to collective bargaining for agricultural workers
H.333 would amend Vermont’s State Labor Relations Act to extend collective bargaining rights to agricultural workers. The bill does this by changing the definition of “employee” in 21 V.S.A. § 1502 so that the existing exclusion for individuals employed as agricultural laborers is repealed. In practical terms, agricultural workers would no longer be carved out of the statute’s labor protections and could be covered by the same organizing and bargaining framework that applies to other employees under the chapter.
The bill is narrow in scope but significant in effect: it does not create a new labor code, but instead removes a statutory exemption that has historically excluded farm labor from collective bargaining rights. If enacted, it would take effect on July 1, 2025, and would alter the rights and obligations of agricultural employers and workers in Vermont by bringing farm labor into the state labor relations system.
H.333 would directly amend 21 V.S.A. § 1502, the definitions section of the State Labor Relations Act, by repealing the exclusion for agricultural laborers from the definition of “employee.” That change would expand the reach of Vermont labor law to include agricultural workers for purposes of collective bargaining and related protections under the chapter. The bill would affect agricultural employers, farmworkers, labor organizations, and the state labor relations framework by removing a longstanding statutory exemption.
Based on the bill’s sponsorship and stated purpose, the overall sentiment appears supportive of expanding labor rights to agricultural workers. The bill was introduced by a group of representatives from Burlington, Montpelier, Hartford, Bristol, Bradford, and Winooski, suggesting backing from lawmakers interested in labor protections. No committee transcript or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence in the materials of opposition or amendment activity, but the subject matter itself suggests a pro-worker, pro-union policy direction.
The main point of contention is likely whether agricultural workers should be treated like other employees for collective bargaining purposes. Supporters would view the bill as closing an exclusion and extending basic labor rights to farmworkers, while opponents may argue that agriculture has unique operational, seasonal, and economic characteristics that make standard collective bargaining rules difficult to apply. Because the bill repeals an explicit statutory exemption, the debate would likely center on the impact on farm management, labor costs, and the feasibility of unionization in the agricultural sector.