Farmworkers/laborers

Job description

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

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 ladder 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 apple and pear 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.

*See Addendum C.

Special Requirements

1 month in tree fruit experience.

*SEE ADDENDUM C
4e) Must be able to lift and/or load 60lbs. When lifting loads heavier than 60 pounds, use two or more people to lift the load.
4g) Work may take place when temperatures are below freezing and above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
4h) May require extensive pulling and/or pushing of tools, wheel barrows, fruit containers, etc.
4i) May require worker to sit and/or walk for extensive periods of time while sorting, picking, examining, weeding, transporting, pruning, etc.
4j) Workers will be required to stoop and/or bend over while performing farm labor such as weeding, irrigating, pruning, picking, removing debris, etc. 4k) There will be repetitive movements while performing most of the farm labor duties, for example picking, sorting, pruning, shoveling, weeding, etc.