RALEIGH -- The state's only agricultural union is suing over what they call an unfair and unjust law, The NC Farm Act of 2017.

"See we agree with a lot of these Republicans about the poor having to work and make their own way," said Baldemar Velasquez, president & founder of Farm Labor Organizing Committee. "The issue is they need to give us the ability to negotiate a fair day's pay for a fair day of work."

During a rally Wednesday, the FLOC announced the lawsuit, claiming the law is discriminatory and hinders their ability to participate in a union. They are not only asking for change on a state level, but are also taking to task the industry as a whole.

"I don't believe it is a fight between farmers and farm workers," Velasquez said. " I think it's a fight between farm workers and farmers and the tobacco companies that design these inequitable supply chains."

Feedback arrived swiftly following the announcement of the lawsuit.

President of the NC Farm Bureau Larry Wooten released a statement saying, “We are confident that the 2017 Farm Act is constitutional and will be upheld by the court. The law does not block a union from organizing, engaging in collective bargaining activities, or collecting dues from its members. It merely states that farmers shouldn’t be forced to unionize their farms under the threat of lawsuits and they shouldn’t be required to serve as a treasurer for unions.”
 
The FLOC is asking the court to block implementation of the farm act while they are challenging the law.