YUMA, Ariz. — A group of Yuma County field workers started a protest after the two citrus companies they work for told them they would have to take a reduction in pay.
Over a two day span, the group gathered in the parking lot in San Luis, Arizona where they normally load transportation buses to head to work in Yuma. But instead of boarding for work they decided not to go looking for answers to their working conditions.
“This moment is about reduced pay from the owners of this company,” said one worker.
Bravo Harvesting and Pacific Growers were the two companies the field workers wanted to negotiate a different agreement with in order to return to work.
President of Bravo Harvesting, Rocky Curtis, said they do their best to offer the workers good conditions in an environment that can often be miserable in hot summer temperatures.
Curtis said it has been a rough year for citrus growers. Production starts in August and wraps up in early March. During the hot summer months growers offer workers bonus pay to fill bin in 105 degree temperatures.
“You’re not picking as many bins so we go and give them a bonus at that point in order for them to make more money,” said Rocky Curtis.
Due to a freeze in February this year, growers are not making up the difference during the peak season when the temperatures are cooler and best for production. Thus forcing them to try to find a way to make money for both harvesters and as many as 100 growers also trying to make a profit.
The groups negotiated a deal for the field workers to return to work– taking only a partial pay cut from the one originally established.