Labor is a limited and valuable resource. The picking crews are not slaves, and are definitely not stupid, so why would they work for ultra low wages? Most of our laborers have cell phones and use them to find the best jobs in the area. The minimum hourly wage rate in Washington State is over $8/hour. If a picker picks slowly, he/she must be paid at least that wage per hour on the job. However, it seems that most pickers of any fruit in Washington have their own minimum wage of $100 per day, and if they cannot reach that level due to light fruit load, big trees, hillsides, small fruit size, etc., they try to negotiate for a higher piece rate. If they cannot come to an agreement with the grower, they leave to find work in a better orchard. While I'm sure some pickers have issues with orchard pay, and do not make $100/day, but many make more than that, especially picking cherries. >From my limited experience picking fruit, I say they earn every penny. (cherries: 25 lugs/ day at $4.00/lug = $100 is the standard, many skilled and industrious pickers pick 35 lugs/day. The going rate for pears this year was about $17/bin. $17 x six 1100 lb bins = $102. Many pickers pick more than 6 bins/day. Apples are similar, but the new orchard designs are confusing things, as the pickers are becoming part of a team, rather than a collection of individuals picking into their designated bins. They still expect to make at least $100 or more a day. Timothy J. Smith WSU Extension, Chelan, Douglas & Okanogan Counties
________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Frank Paganelli Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 6:36 AM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Are you telling us that American apple pickers earn 9-15 dollars a day. Or is that the hourly rate. Please clarify that. ----- Original Message ----- From: Matt McCallum <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Apple-Crop <mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 6:03 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Check out the October 9, Lou Dobbs Tonight story on Chinese apple juice concentrate. They made a big deal that most of the apple juice sold is from Chinese concentrate - wow talk about being late to the party... http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320. --- Matt McCallum Publisher/CEO Great American Publishing 75 Applewood Drive Suite A Sparta MI 49345 P - 616-887-9008 ext 101 F - 616-887-2666 http:www.freshcut.com http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com http://www.vegetablegrowersnew..com <http://www.vegetablegrowersnew.com> http://www.spudman.com
