Farmworker/crew Lead

Job description

This contract encompasses general farm labor and labor for harvest of apples, pears and blueberries.

CREW LEAD: The worker will supervise the work of farmworkers and communicate with other employees during harvest. The worker will also drive the crew members between housing locations and worksites.

APPLE/PEAR Harvest: Worker will hand harvest apples and pears. Worker will attach harness, bucket or bag and picks low hanging fruit while standing on the ground and higher branches while standing on a ladder. Worker will pick according to grade, color and size by grasping fruit with the hands and removing from the tree in a motion so as not to harm the fruit or adjacent buds on the tree branches. Worker will carry harness, bucket or bag of up to 60 lbs. and will place fruit into bins, which hold approximately 25 bushels of fruit. Care must be exercised at all times to prevent bruising of fruit or breaking of branches. Some workers may be required to examine harvested fruit in bins and sort out any fruit not meeting the grade, color and size specifications. Workers must possess ability to pick up, handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds. When using the ladder, worker will exercise caution to ensure ladders is safely set and ready to be used. Worker will check ladders daily for damage and repair upon arrival to designated row. Worker will be assigned a designated row by a manager on duty. Worker will check picking bag daily for damage and repair. Worker will wash picking bag at end of every day. Jobs involving blueberry harvest may be compensated at either an hourly rate or piece-rate basis.

Blueberry Harvest: Worker will spend time bending and crouching while hand harvesting blueberries at locations indicated by supervisor. Care must be exercised at all times to prevent bruising of fruit or breaking of branches. Workers will pick ripe blueberries from bushes and place the blueberries in buckets attached to the body. Worker will pick according to grade, color and size by grasping the berries with fingers and removing the berries so as to not harm the adjacent berries and buds, nor bruise the picked berries. Workers will carry plastic buckets to the end of the row, weigh fruit, and will gently place berries into flats, trays or pack directly into clamshells. Plastic picking buckets will hold approximately 6 pounds of blueberries. Jobs involving blueberry harvest may be compensated at either an hourly rate or piece-rate basis.

Special Requirements

See Addendum C