Leaders in Action
Trail’s Work with Coalition Key to Increasing Farmworkers’ Wages
Nearly all farmworkers are guaranteed a minimum wage under a bill passed by Idaho, thanks to the work of a
committed, bipartisan coalition.
Idaho farmworkers were exempt from the state’s $5.15 per hour minimum wage. While the majority of farm owners
pay workers at or above the minimum wage, some weren’t protected – mainly Latinos.
Since 1998, Idaho Representative Tom Trail (Flemming Fellow ’99), a longtime farmworker advocate, led the fight in
the House to remove the exemption, working with Representatives Ken Robison and Dave Bieter. A large coalition formed
to support the wage protections, including farm laborers, United Vision for Idaho, Idahoans for Farmworker Minimum
Wage, the Migrant Council, the faith community, and various community action and student advocacy groups.
Several public hearings were conducted throughout the state for three years, adding visibility and building clout for
the cause. Coalition members held fasts and marched 30 miles from Caldwell to the Capitol each year. Favorable media
coverage earned by the coalition raised consciousness throughout the state about the economic, health and educational needs
of Idaho’s Latino population. "One of our biggest allies in this fight was the press," exclaimed Trail. "The publicity from
the wage bill made people a lot more sensitive to the needs of laborers and the Hispanic community. We have to continue
our work and recognize that this population is very important to Idaho. "
Advocates used this high visibility and support as leverage to fight against the bill’s main opposition, the farm bureau.
Yet the wage campaign nearly fell apart in the 2001 session. Trail’s bill suddenly died in committee and a much less
effective replacement bill passed the House. Because of the weakness of the new bill and the outrage in the press over these
developments, Senator Bart Davis, who serves on the Agricultural Affairs Committee, stepped in. Davis called Trail, met with
the coalition, seized on Governor Dick Kempthorne’s new status in favor of the bill, and finally introduced a compromise
bill that covered over 95 percent of farmworkers. This measure was enacted, ending four years of missteps, bickering,
and inaction.
To mark the historic occasion, hundreds of supporters attended a festive bill signing ceremony in late March at a
migrant camp where sponsors, including Trail, were honored with the Cesar Chavez Farm Worker Justice award for their work.
A small businessman, farmer, and forester, Trail earned his BS in animal science/agriculture from the University of
Idaho, an MA in adult education from the University of Maryland, and his Ph.D. in education from Montana State University.
He is serving his third term in the House.
