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  • From: Bill Shoemaker <wshoemak AT illinois.edu>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Piece Work Picking
  • Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:22:20 -0500 (CDT)

One large vegetable farm I used to consult with had a migrant working force
of over 250 people during harvest. They paid piece work, but it was above a
base rate. The base rate was about $1/hour above minimum wage and the piece
work kicked in when production exceeded a certain plateau. Its too long ago
that I don't remember rates now, but they'd be irrelevant now anyway. The
main thing is that wages can be structured to ensure everyone gets a fair
wage but high productivity can be rewarded. It may not be for everyone, but I
thought it was creative and a win-win. The workers must have liked it because
they stuck with that farm, some for generations.

Bill



---- Original message ----
>Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:18:24 -0400
>From: Andy Fellenz <fellenz AT fltg.net>
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Piece Work Picking
>To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
>
>I'd look at how much you expect an average picker to pick in an hour and
>set the rate based on their pick rate. I think you need to ensure that
>your piece rate will at least provide minimum wage. For my berry
>pickers, I've set the rate so that anyone who is halfway trying will get
>$8-$10 and hour and people who are hustling can get >$15/hour.
>
>Andy
>
>Allan Balliett wrote:
>> <This is a resend of an erroneously titles post.>
>>
>> anyone have a clue how to determine piece work rates on things like
>> peas and beans?
>>
>> Having access to what the canning companies pay would be a start, I
>> guess. (They used to pay us 2cents a pound and people were making a
>> living off from that...but that's another story...)
>>
>> This is picking for a CSA so I dont readily think of
>> dollar-value-of-the-crop when trying to determind what's fair to all
>> parties.
>>
>> Your ideas and info appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> -Allan in WV
>>
>>
>>
>>
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William H Shoemaker, UI-NRES
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
St Charles Horticulture Research Center
535 Randall Road St Charles, IL 60174
630-584-7254; FAX-584-4610




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