Sakuma Bros. Farm’s Statement on Recent Washington State Supreme Court Decision

BURLINGTON, Wash. - July 16, 2015 - PRLog -- Sakuma Bros. Farm today issued a statement in response to a recent ruling by the Washington State Supreme Court.

“Today’s decision by the Washington State Supreme Court confirms that our current, active pay system goes above and beyond industry standards and is one of the most progressive in the state, if not the country,” said Danny Weeden, CEO of Sakuma Bros. Farm. “We will continue with our new pay schedule to the benefit of our magnificent team of hard working harvest pickers. We have set ourselves on a path of being the best farm we can be. Today’s ruling acknowledges that we are doing things right.”

Under the pay system, harvest workers are paid a guaranteed hourly rate of $10 per hour for all hours worked. Every harvest picker gets $10 per hour.

Workers can earn, and have been earning, a production bonus based on the number of pounds picked, equaling up to $40.00 per hour.

The pays system has been remarkably successful for many of our pickers. For the season as of July 14th, the average rate for blackberries was more than $20 per hour. The highest rate has been $39.00 per hour over the same period. For blueberries, it has been a successful harvest season for the picking team. For the past few weeks ending July 14th, the average daily rate was more than $15 per hour with the highest daily average at $40.00 per hour. On Saturday, July 11, as an example, the average rate for blueberries was $17.91 per hour and 43% of workers made more than $20.00 per hour.

Sakuma Bros. Farms has been providing our harvest pickers with a daily report to view and confirm: (1) the total number of pounds he or she picked during the workday; (2) the number of hours he or she worked during the workday; and (3) the average number of pounds of fruit picked per hour.  There are two, paid 10-minute breaks and a lunch break.

Sakuma Bros. is also one of the few in the region to provide free company housing for up to 350 plus harvest pickers.  This year, in an effort to assist pickers who do not reside in our company-provided housing, the company has been providing a weekly housing stipend to assist with living expenses.  Workers also have access to onsite medical and dental care services.