Washington orchardists take pay muddle to lawmakers

Washington tree fruit growers are asking legislators to set rules for paying piece-rate workers, effectively intervening in pending federal lawsuits spawned by a 2015 state Supreme Court decision. The ruling in Lopez v. Sakuma required growers to pay piece-rate workers separately for 10-minute rest breaks. The decision upset longstanding practice, left unresolved key questions and exposed growers to more lawsuits. The suits seek back pay for rest breaks for up to three years. The suits also seek separate compensation for time piece-rate workers spend on activities such as traveling between fields, attending meetings and storing equipment. U.S. District Court Judge Salvador Mendoza Jr. in Richland this month said workers were eligible for back pay for rest breaks. He referred the question about compensation for other activities to the state high court.