Field Workers, Ag Equipment Operators, Forklift Drivers

Job description

Tree Work – All tree (Date Palms/Olive Trees, and Citrus Trees) work requires either working from the ground while standing or walking on uneven ground, or working from a basket/platform that is raised by a forklift or reach lift that will be raised off the ground that could be as high as 55 feet off the ground. Employees will be pruning and hoeing citrus, date and olive trees, using both hands pruning shears, pruning loppers and long handled hoes.

Specific to Date Palms - De-thorn job is done by removing thorns from palms with curved knife while standing on the ground or in a raised platform, by moving the knife along the edges of the frond removing the thorns. Pollinating is done by removing the husk of the flower and tying a string around the strands at the middle of the flower, and possibly removing a portion of the flower, if necessary, applying date pollen by hand with a small rubber pollinating tool. Cutting Centers/ Strands/ Thinning is done by removing the center of the bunches with a hand pruner, and selectively removing dates or cutting strands to length. Tying for direction is done by choosing the natural direction of the bunch/fruit arm and bending it without breaking, and then tying it to support the weight of the fruit arm. The employee will insert metal rings carefully between the strands of the fruit bunch and then applying a fruit bag over the bunch while securing the bag to the bunch. Closing of the bag is done prior to harvest using twine or Velcro on the bag. All jobs are done under the direction of the foreman and supervisor to ensure quality of work.

Hand weeding/thinning will constitute no more than 20% of weekly work hours (“occasional or intermittent”). The employer attests that any thinning, hoeing, weeding, or hand-weeding work will be performed in compliance with 8 Cal. Code Regulations Section 3437, 3456(b-c).

Harvest- All (Date Palms/Olive Trees, and Citrus Trees) harvest requires either working from the ground while standing or walking on uneven ground, or working from a basket/platform that is raised by a forklift or reach lift that will be raised off the ground that could be as high as 55 feet off the ground. Harvest is done by identifying fruit by color, and texture and picking accordingly and placing fruit into trays that are then moved to the field trailers or pallets. Removing is done by using a knife and cutting the twine and taking off bag. Bags are then counted/folded and put on pallets for storage. Fruit arms are then cut off using a knife. All jobs are done under the direction of the foreman and supervisor to ensure quality of work.

Groundwork – Planting Date Palms, Olive Trees, & Citrus Trees is done by digging a hole with a shovel and placing Date Palms, Olive Trees, & Citrus that could weigh up to 50 lbs. from a potted container into the hole and replacing soil. Specific to Date Palms-Cutting Shoots is done by removing shoots on side of palm trees by placing chisel between shoot and tree and hammering the chisel to remove the shoot. Shoots are also removed from the side of the trees by placing a metal bar and prying the shoot off the tree. Cleaning Date Palms, Olive Trees, & Citrus-Weeding – While working on uneven ground, either dig with a shovel, or use a crowbar with a hammer, to remove shoots from base of Date Palms, Olive Trees, & Citrus. Weeding is done with a long-handled hoe, or by hand if necessary. All jobs are done under the direction of the foreman and supervisor to ensure quality of the work.

Irrigation – Qualified workers to assist in checking/repairing drip lines, ensuring that every (Date Palms, Olive Trees, & Citrus Trees) has water, pulling occasional weeds, checking pumps, filling out checklist. All jobs are done under the direction of the foreman and supervisor to ensure quality of the work.

Continued on Addendum C

Special Requirements

This work may entail exposure to plant pollens, insects and noxious plants, and to fields and plant materials which have been treated with insect and/or disease control sprays. The employer will comply with all worker protection standards and re-entry restrictions applicable to pesticides and other chemicals used in the fields. Workers are also required to comply with all applicable worker protection standards and re-entry times. Workers must listen to, understand and follow instructions of company supervisors and managers.


Continued on Addendum C