For both the farmer and the worker -- pay for production and not by the hour. No reason Jake should get the same as Sam if Sam picks twice as much.
It will also give a true value. Work to fill one basket of strawberries and you'll get an idea how hard it is to do, how long it takes, and what you'll take to work that hard for that long.
"D. Illegal immigrants are not just underpaid; they are very likely to suffer work-related disabilities which are not covered by insurance. They often do not have a place to live. Since they usually do not get any benefits, their care increasingly has become the responsibility of the state government.
"The strawberry has long been known to migrants as la fruta del diablo - the fruit of the devil. Picking strawberries is some of the lowest-paid, most difficult, and therefore least desirable farmwork in California. Strawberries are fragile and bruise easily. They must be picked with great care, especially the berries that will be sold fresh at the market.
...
"You must bend at the waist to pick the fruit, which explains why the job is so difficult. Bending over that way for an hour can cause a stiff back; doing so for ten to twelve hours a day, weeks at a time, can cause excruciating pain and lifelong disabilities. Most strawberry pickers suffer back pain."
http://www.eriposte.com/civil_rights/non-citizens/ca_strawberry_industry.htm
Ah! Things I used to do when I was a lot younger. Get on the berry bus, bust your butt all day, get the card punched for each flat, cash it at the end of the day.
Lots of us used to do that as kids. It builds character and teaches you to get an education because you don't want to do that for the rest of your life. Also helps you learn Spanish which is becoming increasingly useful to know.
Its a pity that the berry buses don't run anymore like they used to....
>>Work to fill one basket of strawberries and you’ll get an idea how hard it is to do, how long it takes, and what you’ll take to work that hard for that long. <<
We did it yesterday! Picked 30 pounds at 1:00 in the afternoon. And I’m freakin 49 years old!
We would have picked more if there had been more. Most were rotting already which meant more work.
I’d take one of those jobs if my kids could pick too but they won’t let my tweens pick for cash. THAT is the real truth.
When I was a kid there was a local farmer who grew some peas. We would go pick peas for some candy money. If we got that far. Usually blew it all at the taco wagon. Anyway, the farmer paid by the pounds picked.
My Mom picked strawberries as a high school kid during the depression. She got two cents a box, and was thrilled to even have the chance to earn any money.
I have. We go berry picking about three times a year and my wife makes jam. Filling a basket doesn't take that long.
I have. We go berry picking about three times a year and my wife makes jam. Filling a basket doesn't take that long.