Opinion ID: 71035
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Consideration of All Factors

Text: 59 When we consider the preceding factors collectively and qualitatively, we conclude that the evidence before the district court indicated that the farmworkers were jointly employed by Turke and the growers under the AWPA and the FLSA. To be sure, many aspects of the relationship demonstrate that the pickers were economically dependent on Turke. Turke hired and assigned pickers to particular fields; he directly supervised their work; he negotiated the price per box; he fired and disciplined workers; and he paid the workers' wages. At the same time, however, significant aspects of the relationship evidence the pickers' economic dependence on the growers as well. The growers exercised a measure of control in terms of the numbers of pickers needed and the specific hours of work. They exercised a measure of supervision and directly intervened in their work process. They involved themselves in the payroll process and in making provision for social security and workers compensation insurance when the labor contractor was too financially unstable to do so. The growers owned the facilities and controlled the overall production scheme in which the pickers performed an integral line job; and the growers, unlike Turke, had substantial investment in equipment and facilities that were necessary for the pickers' work. 60 The totality of the evidence before the district court at summary judgment demonstrates the economic dependence of the pickers on both Turke and the growers. Such joint economic dependence was expressly contemplated by Congress when it adopted the joint employer doctrine as the best means to ensure that the remedial purposes of the AWPA would be fulfilled. Thus, the district court erred in concluding that the farmworkers were not employees of the growers for purposes of the FLSA and the AWPA.