Farmworkers Laborers & Crops

Job description

Workers will perform tasks involving harvesting, trimming, thinning, weeding, hoeing, suckering, and handling apples according to supervisor's instructions.

Apples will be picked for both fresh market and processing according to the color, size, and maturity standards specified by the supervisor. Minimum production standards apply:

For Honeycrisp apples, workers must harvest at least 8 bushels per hour with no more than 1% bruising.
For all other fresh market varieties, the minimum standard is 15 bushels per hour (equivalent to 3/4 of a bin per hour).
For processing apples, the minimum production standard is 17 bushels per hour.

Workers must be physically able to pick tree fruit, most of which is done from ladders, with lower branches being picked from the ground. Picked fruit is placed in a plastic-framed canvas-covered picking bucket which is equivalent to approxmiately 3/4 - 1 bushel. The bucket will have canvas straps that slip over the head and rest on the shoulders. The filled bucket, weighing up to 40 lbs. is emptied into bulk bins with capacity equal to 20 1 1/8 bu. Workers are required to handle ladders up to 18 feet long and weighing about 2 lbs. per foot. Workers will be instructed to selectively pick mature fruit according to size, color, defects & other USDA grade standards.

Must be able to lift 75 lbs. on a consistent basis throughout the day. Workers will also repair boxes when instructed. Workers will till soil, plant stock, perform pruning activities, and aid in irrigation duties using a variety of tools. The tools must be returned to the employer at the end of the day. When performing thinning and pruning, workers will be instructed as to the desirable result. The supervisor will set a standard or pattern and clearly communicate it to the workers. Workers may not leave trash in work areas or vehicles. Workers must wash hands with soap and water after all bathroom and meal breaks. While working on the field, all cell phone usage is limited to emergency use only.

Workers who possess a valid driver’s license and meet all applicable legal requirements, including holding a doctor’s certificate as required by 29 CFR § 500.105, may be asked to drive vehicles for transporting workers, goods, or commodities on company business. This task is voluntary, compensable, and not a mandatory job duty. Workers without a valid driver’s license or doctor’s certificate will still be fully eligible for employment and are not disqualified from any other job responsibilities outlined in this application. The employer can and will make alternative arrangements for the transportation of workers should the need arise.

Special Requirements

All workers referred as a result of this order must have a minimum of three months verifiable experience in performing the tasks described in this order. The employer will provide 3 days of training and allow 3 days of work for the worker to reach production standards. Productivity must be at least 5 (20 1 1/8 bu) bins per day for fresh market apples and 6 bins per day for processing apples. Minimum production standards also apply: for Honeycrisp apples, workers must harvest at least 8 bushels per hour with no more than 1% bruising. For all other fresh market varieties, the minimum standard is 15 bushels per hour (equivalent to 3/4 of a bin per hour). For processing apples, the minimum production standard is 17 bushels per hour.