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SB 6045

Placing agricultural employees under the jurisdiction of the public employment relations commission for the purpose of collective bargaining.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Emily Alvarado and 12 co-sponsors

SB 6045 grants Washington agricultural employees collective bargaining rights under state labor commission jurisdiction, expanding unionization protections currently unavailable to farm workers.

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Bill Summary · SB 6045

Legislative bill overview

SB 6045 would extend jurisdiction of Washington's Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) to agricultural employees, granting them the legal right to organize and engage in collective bargaining. Currently, agricultural workers are largely excluded from federal labor law protections under the National Labor Relations Act, leaving them with minimal collective bargaining rights in Washington state.

Why is this important

Agricultural workers represent a significant workforce in Washington, yet lack standard labor protections afforded to most other employees. This bill would fundamentally alter the power dynamic between farmworkers and employers by establishing a formal mechanism for unionization and contract negotiation, potentially affecting wages, working conditions, and benefits across the agricultural sector.

Potential points of contention

  • Industry impact and costs: Agricultural employers argue compliance with collective bargaining requirements could increase labor costs, potentially affecting product prices, competitiveness, and farm viability—particularly for smaller operations
  • Scope and definition disputes: Disagreement over which agricultural operations and workers qualify (family farms, seasonal workers, specific farm sizes) and whether exemptions should exist
  • Implementation challenges: Questions about how PERC will handle agricultural work's unique seasonal nature, migrant labor patterns, and enforcement mechanisms in dispersed rural settings

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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