169 F.3d 1322 | 11th Cir. | 1999
Before HATCHETT, Chief Judge, RONEY and CLARK, Senior Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:
The entire panel concurs in Parts I, II, and Part IV which discusses whether the appellees “utilized” Wilner Luxama’s services, and Part V which holds that appellees John and Felix Burton may be held liable for actual damages for their failure to verify Luxama’s registration under 29 U.S.C. § 1842. Judge Roney dissents from Part III, which holds that the Burtons were joint employers and therefore statutorily required to carry insurance or a liability bond.
In this case involving the Agricultural Workers Protection Act, 29 U.S.C. § 1801-1872 (1994) (AWPA), fifteen migrant farm workers challenge the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the appellees John Burton, Felix Burton, Little Rock Produce Company and Bobby Hall. The district court found that the appellees were not joint employers of the farm workers under the AWPA and did not award the farm workers actual damages for a violation of the AWPA’s registration provision. We affirm in part, reverse in part and remand.
I. BACKGROUND
John Burton and Felix Burton (collectively, the Burtons) operated a farm in Brooks County, Georgia. The Burtons principally grew cotton, corn, soy beans and peanuts on their farm. In 1990, the Burtons decided to grow other vegetables -- snap beans and cucumbers -- and contracted with Little Rock Produce Company (Little Rock), a produce packinghouse, and its president and principal stockholder, Bobby Hall, to subsidize these new crops and to advance money for labor costs. Both were to share in the profits. Little Rock also agreed to supply the seeds for the snap bean and cucumber crops, boxes for the harvest and a trailer to transport the beans, and the Burtons in turn agreed to market these crops through Little Rock.
Pursuant to the contract, Little Rock required the Burtons to fertilize the snap bean crop and to obtain labor for its harvest. In 1990, the Burtons contacted the Georgia Department of Labor to obtain workers for the snap bean crops, and Paul Emil Paul and Wilner Luxama, farm labor contractors (FLC), agreed to supply them with workers for the snap bean harvest. The Burtons eventually agreed to pay Luxama a set amount of money per box of snap beans that his crew picked, and Luxama paid each worker a set amount per box. 1 The 1990 harvest occurred too late in the snap bean season, and consequently, Luxama’s workers spent a total of one-half of a day working on the Burtons’ farm that year.
The next year, Luxama and his crew returned to the Burtons’ farm to harvest the 1991 snap bean crop. Luxama transported the 25 to 35 members of his Florida-based crew between the Burtons’ farm and their temporary housing in Ashburn, Georgia. 2 The Burtons would direct Luxama to a particular snap bean field, and his crew picked all of the field’s beans. Luxama directed and supervised the harvest of the snap beans, and the Burtons observed the progress of the workers approximately two to three times a day. As they picked the snap beans, the workers placed them in the boxes that Little Rock provided. At the end of the day, Luxama weighed all of the boxes of snap beans, and a crew member placed the boxes onto a trailer that Little Rock owned. The Burtons then transported the snap beans to Little Rock’s packinghouse, where a broker selected and sold them.
The Burtons failed to earn a substantial profit from the 1991 snap bean crop, but they decided to plant and harvest them for the next year. 3 In 1992, Luxama returned with his crew to harvest the crop. Luxama’s registration as a farm labor contractor with the Department of Labor (as the AWPA requires) had lapsed in 1991 because he had failed to pay a fine that the
1 According to Luxama’s deposition testimony, the Burtons agreed to pay him between $3.75 and $4 per box. Luxama in turn paid his workers $2.50 per box for the first picking, and then $3 per box for the second and additional pickings. Luxama provided his workers a ticket for each box they picked, and then paid them for each ticket the worker returned to him.
2 Luxama recruited his workers (Haitian immigrants) from Miami to pick crops, including snap beans, in Georgia. He also helped the workers find housing when they arrived in Georgia, although the crew paid for all of its housing expenses.
3 Since the 1991 crop failed to make a profit, the Burtons did not reimburse Little Rock’s advancements for their labor costs. Department of Labor had imposed. See 29 U.S.C. § 1811. As a result of this lapse and his inability to pay the fine, Luxama failed to purchase liability insurance for the vehicles used to transport his crew as the AWPA requires. See 29 U.S.C. § 1841. 4 The Burtons failed to check Luxama’s certification as an FLC, and failed to learn that Luxama no longer carried the required insurance. See 29 U.S.C. §§ 1841(b) (duty to carry insurance of liability bond), 1842 (duty to check registration). On the morning of June 3, 1992, one of Luxama’s trucks overturned while transporting the workers to the fields, killing the driver and two workers and seriously injuring others. 5
In December 1992, the appellants sued John Burton, Felix Burton, Little Rock and Hall for violations of the AWPA, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq. and Georgia’s common law of negligence. The appellants alleged, in part, that the appellees violated the “registration, vehicle safety, vehicle insurance, record keeping, wage statement and wage payment provisions of the AWPA,” and the appellees moved for summary judgment. After
4 Section 1841(b) of the AWPA provides: (1) When using, or causing to be used, any vehicle for providing transportation . . . each agricultural employer, agricultural association, and farm labor contractor shall . . . (C) have an insurance policy or a liability bond that is in effect which insures the agricultural employer, the agricultural association, or the farm labor contractor against liability for damages to persons or property arising from the ownership, operation, or the causing to be operated, of any vehicle used to transport any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker.
See 29 U.S.C. 1841(b)(1)(C). 5 The accident killed appellant Jean J. Maissoneuve (Avelie Maissoneuve appears as the
personal representative of his estate), rendered appellant Edner Phillipe a paraplegic, and caused various injuries to appellants Nicolas Charles, Charite Asseigne, Miguel Aubout, Samson Germain, Marcel Jean-Baptiste, Alexandre Joseph, Marcel Joseph, Fito Pierre, Frankel Pierre, Fatami Saint Fleur, Gerard Simeon, Lavius Dit Servius Vil and Jean Jacques Vytelle. We shall refer to these workers collectively as the appellants. conducting an evidentiary hearing, the district court held that the appellees did not “employ” the workers within the meaning of the AWPA and the FLSA, and granted the appellees summary judgment. See Charles v. Burton, 857 F. Supp. 1574, 1583 (M.D. Ga. 1994). This conclusion precluded the appellants from recovering any damages for the appellees’ failure to ensure that Luxama’s truck carried either insurance or a liability bond. See 29 U.S.C. § 1841(b)(1)(C).
Thereafter, the appellees moved for summary judgment on the remaining claims, with (1) Little Rock and Hall arguing that they had not “utilized” the services of Luxama pursuant to the 29 U.S.C. § 1842; and (2) the Burtons alleging that although they had utilized Luxama’s services and violated the registration verification provisions under 29 U.S.C. § 1842, the workers were entitled only to statutory damages under 29 U.S.C. § 1854(c)(1). The district court granted Little Rock’s and Hall’s motions for summary judgment, finding that they had not “utilized” the services of Luxama and his crew. See Charles v. Burton, No. 92-150-VAL (M.D. Ga. Mar. 7, 1995). 6 The district court later found the Burtons liable for $350 in statutory damages per worker for the violation of section 1842, but refused to award actual damages because the workers’ injuries were “too far removed” from the Burtons’ failure to verify Luxama’s registration. See Charles v. Burton, No. 7:92-cv-150 (M.D. Ga. Sept. 8, 1995) (granting
6 Appellee Bobby Hall died in October 1995, and the district court treated the appellants’ motion for substitution of party as a motion to substitute Bobby Hall, Jr. (the administrator of Bobby Hall’s estate) as a defendant, and granted the appellants’ motion. See Charles v. Burton, No. 7:92-cv-150 (M.D. Ga. July 30, 1996). Appellee Hall contends that the district court erred in substituting him pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 25(a). We find that the district court did not abuse its discretion in substituting Bobby Hall, Jr., as a defendant after the appellants timely filed a motion for substitution pursuant to Rule 25(a). See Virgo v. Riviera Beach Assocs., Ltd., 30 F.3d 1350, 1357-58 (11th Cir. 1994) (interpreting Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25(c)). summary judgment); Charles v. Burton, No. 92-150-VAL (M.D. Ga. July 26, 1996) (awarding statutory damages). 7
II. ISSUES
The issues we discuss are: (1) whether the district court erred in finding that the appellees were not “joint employers” of the appellants, and were thus not liable under section 1841 of the AWPA (Part III); (2) whether the district court erred in finding that appellees Little Rock and Hall did not “utilize” the services of the appellants under section 1842 of the AWPA (Part IV); and (3) whether the district court erred in failing to award the appellants actual damages for the Burtons’ violation of that provision (Part V). 8
III. JOINT EMPLOYMENT
In 1983, Congress enacted the AWPA “to remove the restraints on commerce caused by activities detrimental to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers; to require farm labor contractors to register under this chapter; and to assure necessary protections for migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, agricultural associations, and agricultural employers.” 29 U.S.C. § 1801. Included in the AWPA are requirements (1) that an FLC obtain a certificate from the Secretary of Labor authorizing it to perform its duties, see 29 U.S.C. § 1811(a); 29 C.F.R. § 550.40 (1997); (2) that a person utilizing the services of an FLC verify the existence of such
7 In August 1995 the appellants also filed diversity lawsuits alleging common law negligence claims against Little Rock and the Burtons. The district court consolidated those claims with the AWPA and FLSA claims and granted summary judgment in favor of Little Rock and the Burtons on the common law negligence claims. See Charles v. Burton, No. 7:92-150 (M.D. Ga. Nov. 30, 1995) (consolidating); Charles v. Burton, No. 7:92-cv-150 (M.D. Ga. Aug. 20, 1996) (granting summary judgment).
8 The appellants raise for the first time the issue of whether the appellees formed a partnership or joint venture under Georgia law. This court, however, will not consider on appeal issues not raised before the district court. See Narey v. Dean, 32 F.3d 1521, 1526-27 (11th Cir. 1994). certificate, see 29 U.S.C. § 1842; and (3) that an FLC and an agricultural employer carry either an insurance policy or liability bond covering any vehicle used to transport agricultural workers, see 29 U.S.C. § 1841; 29 C.F.R. 500.120.
The appellees contend, and the district court agreed, that they did not “employ” the appellants, that they were not “agricultural employers” or “joint employers” within the meaning of the AWPA and that the AWPA did not require them to carry insurance or a liability bond under section 1841. 9 See Charles, 857 F. Supp. at 1583. The definition of “employ” is the same under the AWPA and the FLSA. See 29 U.S.C. 203(1); 29 U.S.C. § 1802(2). An entity “employs” a person under the AWPA and the FLSA if it “suffers or permits” the individual to work. See 29 U.S.C. § 203(g); 29 C.F.R. § 500.20(h)(1). “An entity ‘suffers or permits’ an individual to work if, as a matter of economic reality, the individual is dependent on the entity.” Antenor v. D&S Farms, 88 F.3d 925, 929 (11th Cir. 1996) (quoting Goldberg v. Whitaker House Coop., Inc., 366 U.S. 28, 34 (1961)).
The AWPA’s concept of “employ” also includes “the joint employment principles applicable under the [FLSA].” Aimable v. Long & Scott Farms, 20 F.3d 434, 438 (11th Cir.), 9 The AWPA defines “agricultural employer” as “any person who owns or operates a farm, ranch, processing establishment, cannery, fin, packing shed or nursery, or who produces or conditions seed, and who either recruits, solicits, hires, employs, furnishes, or transports any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker.” 29 U.S.C. § 1802(2). The AWPA defines “migrant agricultural worker” as “an individual who is employed in agricultural employment of a seasonal or other temporary nature, and who is required to be absent overnight from his permanent place of residence.” 29 U.S.C. § 1802(8)(A). cert. denied, 513 U.S. 943 (1994); 29 C.F.R. § 500.20(h)(5). 10 According to the AWPA regulations,
joint employment means a condition in which a single individual stands in the relation of an employee to two or more persons at the same time. A determination of whether the employment is to be considered joint employment depends upon all the facts in a particular case. If the facts establish that two or more persons are completely disassociated with respect to the employment of a particular employee, a joint employment situation does not exist.
29 C.F.R. § 500.20(h)(5). The issue in joint employment cases “is not whether the worker is more economically dependent on the independent contractor or grower, with the winner avoiding responsibility as an employer.” Antenor , 88 F.3d at 932. Instead, the AWPA “envisions situations where a single employee may have the necessary employment relationship with not only one employer but simultaneously such a relationship with an employer and an independent contractor.” Antenor, 88 F.3d at 932 (quoting H.R. Rep. No. 97-885, 97th Cong., 2d Sess.
(1982) 7, 1982 U.S.C.C.A.N. 4547, 4553).
This court, and the AWPA regulations, have considered the following regulatory factors as guidance in determining economic dependence, and ultimately, whether an employment relationship exists: (1) whether the agricultural employer has the power, either alone or through the FLC, to direct, control or supervise the workers or the work performed (such control may be
10 In 1997, the Department of Labor amended the AWPA regulations, attempting to remedy the misconceptions surrounding the definition of “joint employment.” This clarification of joint employment focuses more closely on the “economic dependence” test that federal courts had previously established. See Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, 62 Fed. Reg. 11734, 11745-46 (1997) (codified at 29 C.F.R. pt. 500 (1997)). This court accords significant weight to the statutory interpretation of the executive agency charged with implementing the statute being construed, particularly when that interpretation is incorporated in a formally published opinion. See Chevron, U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837, 844 (1984); Caro-Galvan v. Curtis Richardson, Inc., 993 F.2d 1500, 1507 (11th Cir. 1993). either direct or indirect, taking into account the nature of the work performed and a reasonable degree of contract performance oversight and coordination with third parties); (2) whether the agricultural employer has the power, either alone or in addition to another employer, directly or indirectly, to hire or fire, modify the employment conditions, or determine the pay rates or the methods of wage payment for the workers; (3) the degree of permanency and duration of the relationship of the parties, in the context of the agricultural activity at issue; (4) the extent to which the services that the workers rendered are repetitive, rote tasks requiring skills that are acquired with relatively little training; (5) whether the activities that the workers performed are an integral part of the overall business operation of the agricultural employer; (6) whether the work is performed on the agricultural employer’s premises, rather than on premises that another business entity owns or controls; and (7) whether the agricultural employer undertakes responsibilities in relation to the workers that employers commonly perform, such as preparing and/or making payroll records, preparing and/or issuing pay checks, paying FICA taxes, providing workers’ compensation insurance, providing field sanitation facilities, housing or transportation, or providing tools and equipment or materials required for the job (taking into account the amount of the investment). See 29 C.F.R. § 500.20 (h)(5)(iv)(A)-(G); see also Antenor, 88 F.3d at 932; Aimable, 20 F.3d at 439.
We will consider all of the enunciated factors as guidance, with “the weight of each factor [depending] on the light it sheds on the farmworkers’ economic dependence (or lack thereof) on the alleged employer, which in turn depends on the facts of the case.” Antenor, 88 F.3d at 932-33 (citing Aimable, 20 F.3d at 440). A determination of employment status under the AWPA and the FLSA is a question of law subject to de novo review. See Antenor, 88 F.3d at 929; Aimable, 20 F.3d at 440.
1. Whether the appellees had the power to direct, control or supervise the appellants (directly or indirectly). Prior to 1997, the AWPA regulations split this factor into two concepts: first, the nature
and degree of control over the workers; and second, the degree of supervision over their work. The district court also considered these two concepts separately. As for the nature and degree of control of the appellants, the district court found that “there is absolutely no indication . . . that defendants [Hall] and Little Rock retained the ‘right to dictate the manner in which the details of the harvesting function [were] executed.’” Charles, 857 F. Supp. at 1580 (quoting Donovan v. Brandel, 736 F.2d 1114, 1119 (6th Cir. 1984)). The district court also found that “although defendants John and Felix Burton retained a degree of control over the harvest in that they directed which fields would be picked, they maintained no control over the manner in which the beans were picked. The details of the harvest were left to [Luxama].” Charles, 857 F. Supp. at 1580.
In Aimable, this court found that the focus of this concept “is more properly limited to specific indicia of control (for example, direct employment decisions such as whom and how many employees to hire, whom to assign to specific tasks, and how to design the employee’s management structure).” Aimable, 20 F.3d at 440. Antenor identified several other indicia of control, including: when work should begin on a particular day; whether a worker should be disciplined; whether the agricultural employers were free to delay or stop the workers directly from continuing their work; and whether the agricultural employers could assign work to specific workers indirectly. See Antenor, 88 F.3d at 933-34. The evidence presented demonstrated that while Little Rock supplied boxes to the Burtons to be used for the appellants, neither Hall nor Little Rock engaged in direct or indirect control over the appellants. See, e.g. , Patel v. Wargo, 803 F.2d 632, 638 (11th Cir. 1986) (finding that company’s president, director and principal stockholder did not take a sufficiently active role to be an “employer” under the FLSA). The Burtons, however, exhibited some control. For example, the Burtons determined the particular fields that they wanted the appellants to cultivate, determined when the appellants would begin picking each field and supplied appellants with boxes that Little Rock provided. They did not, however, tell Luxama when to commence picking each day and did not determine whether a specific worker should be disciplined. See Hodgson v. Griffin & Brand of McAllen, Inc., 471 F.2d 235, 237 (5th Cir.) (finding that agricultural worker exercised sufficient control in determining when the workers were to commence harvesting each day to be an “employer” under the AWPA), cert. denied, 414 U.S. 819 (1973). Therefore, although we agree with the district court that this aspect of the first factor weighs against finding that the appellants were economically dependent on Hall and Little Rock, we find that the Burtons exercised some aspects of control that weigh in favor of finding that the appellants were economically dependent on the Burtons.
The second aspect of this factor concerns the degree of direct or indirect supervision that the agricultural employer enjoyed over the workers. The necessary supervision under this factor “includes overseeing the pickers’ work and providing direction,” while keeping in mind “special aspects of agricultural employment.” Antenor. 88 F.3d at 934-35. In an agricultural setting, “the grower is not expected to look over the shoulder of each farmworker every hour of every day. Thus, it is well settled that supervision is present whether orders are communicated directly to the laborer or indirectly through the contractor.” Antenor, 88 F.3d at 935 (quotations and citations omitted). “Infrequent assertions of minimal oversight,” however, fail to satisfy the supervision necessary under this factor. See Aimable, 20 F.3d at 441.
The workers alleged, and the record reveals, that the Burtons directed Luxama to tell the appellants to harvest certain areas of their farm and monitored their harvesting several times per day. 11 The Burtons, however, entrusted most of the direct supervision and oversight over the appellants in Luxama. We believe that the Burtons’ supervision overcomes Aimable’s “infrequent assertions of minimal oversight” and instead resembles Antenor’s definition of indirect control. The workers, however, have not presented any evidence that Little Rock or Hall directly or indirectly supervised their work in any fashion. We therefore find that this first factor favors a conclusion that the appellants were economically dependent on the Burtons, based on their indirect control and supervision. We also find that this factor weighs against such a conclusion as for Little Rock and Hall.
2. Whether the appellees had the direct or indirect power to hire, fire, modify the employment conditions or determine the pay rates or the methods of wage payment for the appellants . The district court also considered aspects of this factor separately. First, the appellants
argued that the appellees ultimately shared responsibility for their wages, because the appellees controlled the amount of seeds planted and fields harvested and paid Luxama a specific price for each box of beans harvested, and that Luxama then paid the appellants a set price for each box that they individually harvested. The appellees rely on Rutherford Food Corp. v. McComb, where the Supreme Court found the operator of a slaughterhouse exerted indirect influence over the pay rates for the boners when he controlled the number of cattle slaughtered and boned. 331 U.S. 722, 730 (1947). The district court found that Aimable precluded the reliance on McComb,
11 Appellant Asseigne observed the Burtons near their worksite often, and noticed that they talked to Luxama. See Asseigne Dep. at 31. Appellant Aubout stated that he observed the Burtons talking to Luxama, and, since most of the appellants did not speak English, Luxama then instructed the appellants in their native language what the Burtons needed. See Aubout Dep. at 17-18. finding this “leap of logic” -- since the appellees controlled the amount of money Luxama received, and since Luxama controlled the amount the appellants received, that the appellees therefore controlled the amount the appellants received -- to be unfounded. See Aimable, 20 F.3d at 442 (“Unfortunately for appellants, the laws that bind the Euclidian world do not apply with equal force in federal employment law.”); Charles, 857 F. Supp. at 1580. The appellants presented no other convincing evidence to show that the appellees exercised direct or indirect power to determine their pay rates or the methods of payments. In fact, Luxama controlled their pay rates, determined how they received their pay and when they received payment.
The appellants also argue that the Burtons, on behalf of their enterprise with Hall and Little Rock, delegated the task of assembling a picking crew to Luxama and therefore indirectly enjoyed the rights to hire, fire or modify the employment conditions of the appellants. In Antenor, this court found that evidence showing that the agricultural employers “dictated the workers’ hours, a condition of employment, by deciding when the work was to begin . . . [and] forcing the pickers to stop picking when prices were bad[,]” indicated that they enjoyed these rights. See Antenor, 88 F.3d at 935. The Burtons planted and fertilized the snap bean crop and directed Luxama to have the appellants harvest it on certain dates. While the Burtons did not enjoy a “veto” power over Luxama’s hiring decisions and did not modify such employment conditions as the picker’s daily hours, they decided ultimately when the appellants would begin picking their snap bean crop, where they would pick it and for how long. Thus, elements of this factor weigh in favor of the appellants being economically dependent on the Burtons. Again, though, the appellants present no evidence that either Hall or Little Rock directly or indirectly enjoyed this power.
3. The degree of permanency and duration of the relationship of the parties . The district court did not consider this factor, following Aimable’s holding that this
factor is irrelevant in analyzing joint employment. See Aimable, 20 F.3d at 443-44; Charles, 857 F. Supp. at 1579. The Aimable court found that this factor helped determine whether the FLC, as opposed to any other putative agricultural employer, employed the farm workers. See Aimable, 20 F.3d at 444. We note that the Aimable court nonetheless analyzed this factor, and, given its inclusion in the AWPA’s regulations, feel that its analysis should provide this court guidance in determining “the economic reality of all the circumstances concerning whether the putative employee is economically dependent upon the alleged employer.” 29 C.F.R. 500.20(h)(5)(iv)(C); Antenor , 88 F.3d at 933. 12
The appellants allege that they had an ongoing relationship with the appellees because they spent most of their time during the 1992 snap bean harvest season working for them. Additionally, they contend that Luxama’s relationship with the appellees was longstanding in that he had provided workers for their snap bean harvests between 1990 and 1992. The appellees allege, pursuant to Aimable, that the evidence showed that only Luxama, not the
12 The Department of Labor additionally commented on this issue, stating that, despite Aimable, the great weight of the case law supports consideration of the degree of permanency and exclusivity in the relationship between the workers and the putative employer in the context of the agricultural operation in question. The duration of that operation necessarily affects the duration or permanency of that relationship. Where an FLC and the workers are engaged for the duration of the operation and are obligated to work only for or be available to the agricultural employer/association at his/her discretion during that period, that information bears directly on the question of the workers’ economic dependence. Other courts have found this factor relevant and the Department believes that duration of the relationship should be one of the factors considered in determining joint employment.
Agricultural Workers Protection Act, 62 Fed. Reg. at 11,740 (citations omitted). appellees, had the ongoing relationship with the appellants. The appellees also argue that no evidence indicated that the appellants harvested the snap bean crop in 1990 or 1991, and that the evidence showed that some of the appellants may have worked at a different farm during the snap bean harvest, and others may have chosen to stay home on certain days during the harvest.
Other courts have considered this issue and have found that “[h]arvesting of crops is a seasonal industry, without much permanence beyond the harvesting season. However temporary the relationship may be . . . the relationship is permanent . . . [if] the migrants work only for [the] defendants during that season.” Haywood v. Barnes, 109 F.R.D. 568, 589 (E.D. N.C. 1986) (quoting Donovan v. Gilmor , 535 F. Supp. 154, 162 (N.D. Ohio), appeal dismissed, 708 F.2d 723 (6th Cir. 1982)). Another court has found that “[o]ne indication of permanency . . . is the fact that it is not uncommon for the migrant families to return year after year.” Secretary of Labor v. Lauritzen, 835 F.2d 1529, 1537 (7th Cir. 1987), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 898 (1988). Luxama and the appellants harvested snap beans on the Burtons’ farm in 1992. While this harvest was seasonal, the Burtons expected Luxama’s crew to harvest the entire snap bean crop. Luxama and the appellants also worked for another farm during this snap bean harvest. 13 While Luxama returned between 1990 and 1992 to harvest the Burton’s snap bean crop, the appellants presented no evidence to show that all of them picked snap beans for the Burtons during these dates. Therefore, we find that the appellants have failed to meet the permanency and exclusivity factor, and this factor weighs against a determination that the appellants were economically dependent on the appellees.
4. The extent to which the services that the appellants rendered are repetitive, rote tasks requiring skills that are acquired with relatively little training 13 Luxama stated that at times he would send some of the appellants to pick snap beans at
a nearby farm in Tifton, Georgia. Luxama Dep. at 56. The district court also failed to consider this factor in determining that the appellees were not joint employers of the appellants, and the Aimable court found that an analysis of this factor fails to aid in this determination. See Aimable, 20 F.3d at 444. We, however, choose to analyze this factor, since it is included in the AWPA’s regulations. 14 It is unquestionable that the services that the appellants rendered -- picking snap beans -- is a repetitive and rote task requiring relatively little training. Therefore, we find that this factor weighs in favor of concluding that the appellants were economically dependent on the appellees.
5. Whether the activities that the appellants performed are an integral part of the appellees’ overall business operation. This factor is “probative of joint employment because a worker who performs a routine
task that is a normal and integral phase of the grower’s production is likely to be dependent on the grower’s overall production process.” Antenor, 88 F.3d at 937. The district court held that this factor favored the appellants, finding that they “performed a line-job integral to the harvesting and production of salable vegetables.” Charles, 857 F. Supp. at 1581 (quoting Aimable, 20 F.3d at 444). While the Burtons contend that their snap bean harvest comprised a
14 The Department of Labor explained: [C]ourts have considered the worker’s degree of skill to be a relevant and probative factor in the determination of [economic] dependence. In common experience in the agricultural industry and other contexts, there is a reasonable correlation between the worker’s degree of skill and the marketability and value of his/her services. In the free market place, an unskilled task may easily be learned and performed by almost any worker is a task for which many workers (both trained and untrained) can realistically compete, and is also a task for which the competing workers would not be able to demand or expect high wages. The lower the worker’s skill level, the lower the value and marketability of his/her services, and the greater the likelihood of his/her economic dependence on the person utilizing those services.
Agricultural Worker Protection Act, 62 Fed. Reg. at 11,740-41. small percentage of their overall farming operations, we find that this factor weighs in favor of determining that the appellants were economically dependent on the Burtons, Little Rock and Hall because the appellants’ picking of snap beans was integral to both harvesting and producing snap beans -- the appellees’ business.
6. Whether the work is performed on the appellees’ premises, rather than on premises that another business entity owns or controls . This factor is probative of joint employment because “without the land, the worker might
not have work, and because a business that owns or controls the worksite will likely be able to prevent labor law violations, even if it delegates hiring and supervisory responsibilities to labor contractors.” Antenor, 88 F.3d at 937 (citing Gulf King Shrimp Co. v. Wirtz, 407 F.2d 508, 513- 14 (5th Cir. 1969)). The district court correctly found that the appellants picked snap beans on the Burtons’ property, which provides indicia that the Burtons employed the workers. The district court also found, however, that no party presented any evidence that the appellants performed any work on the property of either Little Rock or Hall. Thus, we find that this factor weighs in favor of finding that the appellants were economically dependent on the Burtons, but were not economically dependent on either Little Rock or Hall.
7. Whether the appellees undertook responsibilities in relation to the appellants that employers commonly perform . The district court did not consider this factor, finding that one of its considerations,
“investment in equipment and facilities,” to be irrelevant pursuant to Aimable . Aimable, 20 F.3d at 443; Charles , 857 F. Supp. at 1579. Once again, because this factor is enunciated in the AWPA’s regulations, and considered in Antenor , we consider it as guidance in our determination of “economic dependence” and “joint employment.” 15 The evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to appellants, demonstrates that neither Little Rock, Hall nor the Burtons had any responsibility in preparing or making payrolls, paying FICA taxes, or providing workers compensation insurance for the appellants. Little Rock issued checks to Luxama for the number of boxes his crew picked, but these payments were advances to the Burtons for their labor costs. Luxama paid the appellants for the number of boxes they picked and provided housing and transportation for the appellants. Little Rock also provided the Burtons with boxes for the appellants to place the picked snap beans in and provided a trailer for the Burtons to transport the snap beans to Little Rock’s packing shed. Although the appellees provided certain materials useful in the appellants’ work, which is probative of the appellants’ economic dependence on the appellees, the appellees did not undertake any other functions that an employer normally performed. Thus, we find that this factor weighs in favor of determining that the appellants were not economically dependent on the appellees.
In considering all of these factors, we realize that “no one factor is determinative,” and that the existence of joint employment “depends on the economic reality of all the circumstances.” Antenor, 88 F.3d at 932 (quotations and citations omitted). We note that “the
15 The Department of Labor commented: Where a putative employer provides materials or services, undertakes functions normally performed by an employer (such as providing workers’ compensation, paying FICA taxes, transporting or housing workers, providing the tools and equipment necessary to the work), such behavior indicates that it is his/her interest to perform such functions that are commonly performed by employers rather than rely on the FLC. Further, workers who use the services, materials or functions are in a very tangible way economically dependent on the entity performing these functions.
Agricultural Workers Protection Act, 62 Fed. Reg. at 11,741-42. absence of evidence on any one or more of the criteria listed does not preclude a finding that an . . . agricultural employer was a joint employer along with the crewleader.” Antenor, 88 F.3d at 933 (quotations and citations omitted). We also note that since the AWPA is a remedial statute, we must construe it broadly. See Caro-Galvan, 993 F.2d at 1505 (“AWPA is a remedial statute and should be construed broadly to effect its humanitarian purpose.”). Based on our analysis of the factors, we hold that the appellants were economically dependent on the Burtons, and, as a matter of law, that the Burtons employed the appellants under the AWPA. The Burtons enjoyed a sufficient degree of indirect supervision and control over the appellants, supplied the land and ultimately decided when, where and how long the appellants would harvest their snap bean crop. Further, the appellants performed services that required little training, yet were integral to the Burtons’ farming operation. Because we hold that the Burtons employed the appellants, they are liable as joint employers for violations of section 1841 of the AWPA. We also hold that, based on our analysis of these factors, Little Rock and Hall did not employ the appellants within the meaning of the AWPA. 16
IV. UTILIZATION OF SERVICES
The next issue we discuss is whether the appellees “utilized” Luxama’s services. See 29 U.S.C. § 1842. According to section 1842, unless a person utilizes the services of a farm labor contractor to supply an agricultural worker, there is no responsibility to be concerned about the
16 We note the district court’s holding that to find the Burtons joint employers under the AWPA, “every farmer who hired a farm labor contractor would become for purposes of the AWPA . . . a joint employer of the contractor’s employees.” Charles , 857 F. Supp. at 1581-82. We disagree, finding that the economic reality of the facts in this case indicate that the Burtons employed the appellants. We caution district courts to analyze each of these enunciated factors as guidance, taking into account the facts of each case, and the economic reality of each situation, to determine whether a farm worker is economically dependent on an agricultural employer. farm labor contractor’s certificate of registration. See 29 U.S.C. § 1842. Even though Little Rock and Hall did not “employ” appellants, they can be liable under section 1842 because it speaks only of a person who utilizes the services of an FLC, not an “employer.”
The district court granted Little Rock’s and Hall’s motions for summary judgment on this issue, finding that neither Little Rock nor Hall “utilized” Luxama’s services because the Burtons exercised the discretion to hire Luxama, and exercised subsequent control over Luxama and the appellants. See Charles v. Burton, No. 92-150-VAL (M.D. Ga. Mar. 7, 1995).
We find that the district court did not err in granting summary judgment for Hall and Little Rock, based on our analysis of “joint employment” and “economic dependence.” The appellants presented no evidence that Little Rock or Hall engaged in directing, controlling or supervising the appellants. Further, Little Rock and Hall did not hire Luxama, but instead delegated the decision of hiring and paying for snap bean labor to the Burtons. Therefore, we agree with the district court that neither Little Rock nor Hall “utilized” the services of Luxama and the appellants. The Burtons however, concede that they utilized Luxama’s services. We agree with the district court that the Burtons “utilized” the services of Luxama and the appellants, based on this same analysis.
V. DAMAGES
Having utilized the services of appellees, there was a statutory obligation on the part of John and Felix Burton to “first take[ ] reasonable steps to determine that the farm labor contractor possesse[d] a certificate of registration which [was] valid and which authorize[d] the activity for which the contractor [was] utilized.” 29 U.S.C. § 1842. The Burtons concede they failed to determine if the farm labor contractor had a valid certificate authorizing him to transport agricultural workers. See Burtons’ Brief in Support of Mot. for Summ. J. at 4 (“The Burtons did not check to see if [Luxama] had a certificate of registration when he came to the Burton’s farm with the Haitian crew to pick beans.”).
The district court granted the Burtons’ motion for summary judgment in part, finding that the AWPA’s legislative history failed to adopt a position on strict liability, and finding that the Burtons were not liable for the appellants’ actual damages because their failure to check Luxama’s certificate of registration was “too far removed from the type of harm complained of” to attribute actual damages to the Burtons. The district court therefore found that it should only award statutory damages of up to $500. Charles v. Burton, No.7:92-cv-150 (M.D. Ga. Sept. 8, 1995). The district court later awarded the appellants $350 in statutory damages, finding the Burtons’ violations to be “technically intentional.” See 29 U.S.C. 1854(c)(1); Charles v. Burton, No. 92-150-VAL (M.D. Ga. July 26, 1996).
The district court erred by holding that the Burtons’ failure to verify Luxama’s registration, in violation of 29 U.S.C. § 1842, was too far removed from the appellants’ injuries to warrant actual damages under 29 U.S.C. § 1854(c). Appellants do not claim the Burtons are responsible for the accident or their resulting physical injuries. Instead, they claim an inability to obtain medical care and a lack of compensation for lost wages because Luxama had no insurance coverage. Such a lack of access to insurance proceeds is an injury separate and distinguishable from appellants’ physical injuries. See, e.g., Huff v. Standard Life Ins. Co., 897 F.2d 1072, 1074 (11th Cir. 1990) (“[T]he very essence of” a cause of action for negligent delay in the processing of an insurance application “is that the insurance company’s negligence caused the absence of insurance coverage, which in turn damages the applicant.”), cert. denied, 499 U.S. 936 (1991); Michigan Abrasive Co., Inc. v. Poole , 805 F.2d 1001, 1003, 1005-06 (11th Cir. 1986). This is true even though appellants do not claim that the Burtons’ actions caused them to be uninsured, but instead claim that the Burtons’ actions precluded them from having access to insurance coverage which another person, in this case Luxama, was required to maintain. See, e.g., Lippincott v. Exotica Imports, Inc., 413 So.2d 66, 67 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1982) (Defendant, an automobile dealer, sold a vehicle to a purchaser who did not have insurance coverage, dealer failed to verify that purchaser had insurance coverage, plaintiff was involved in an automobile accident while a passenger in purchaser’s vehicle, plaintiff sued dealer, and court held that dealer “should be responsible to” plaintiff because it “did cause injury to [plaintiff] in that [plaintiff] was without the protection of [insurance] benefits at the time of the accident.”). The Burtons’ failure to check Luxama’s certificate of registration was not far removed from the appellants’ inability to obtain medical care and compensation for lost wages at all.
Luxama did not possess a certificate of registration and had no insurance to cover the damages that resulted from plaintiffs’ physical injuries. To obtain a certificate of registration, Luxama, like any other farm labor contractor, would have had to produce documentation showing that he had an insurance policy or liability bond which insured “against liability to persons . . . arising from the ownership, operation, or the causing to be operated, of any vehicle used to transport any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker.” 29 U.S.C. § 1841(b)(1)(C); see
29 U.S.C. § 1812(2).
If the Burtons had utilized a farm labor contractor with a valid certificate of registration, there would have been insurance to cover appellants’ physical injuries. See 29 U.S.C. §§ 1812(2); 1841(b)(1)(C). This uncontested fact is contrary to the district court’s decision that “defendants’ failure to check Mr. Luxama’s certificate of registration is simply too far removed from the type of harm complained of for actual damages to be attributable to defendants.” The Burtons’ failure to determine whether Luxama had a valid certificate of registration was a proximate cause of the appellants’ damages, not their physical injuries, but the damages that accrued because there was no insurance to cover their medical care and lost wages.
VI. CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, we reverse the district court’s holding that the Burtons did not employ the appellants, affirm the district court’s finding that neither Little Rock nor Hall employed the appellants or utilized their services, and remand this case to the district court to consider damages for the Burtons’ failure to ensure that the automobiles transporting the appellants carried insurance or a liability bond, in violation of 29 U.S.C. § 1841, and to consider damages for the Burtons’ failure to verify Luxama’s certificate of registration before utilizing his services, in violation of 29 U.S.C. § 1842.
AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART and REMANDED. RONEY, Senior Circuit Judge, concurring in part and dissenting in part: In Part III of this opinion, the Court reverses the summary judgment entered in favor of John and Felix Burton and holds that appellees did “employ” the appellants, that they were “agricultural employers” or “joint employers” within the meaning of the AWPA and that therefore they were statutorily required to carry insurance or a liability bond under section 1841. I respectfully dissent from that portion of the opinion.
The Court correctly identifies the regulatory factors and case law that must guide us in determining whether an employment relationship exists. I believe that application of these factors, however, yields the opposite result.
There are two controlling cases in this circuit involving seasonal and migrant farm workers which apply these several factors and that guide the decision. In Aimable v. Long & Scott Farms , 20 F.3d 434, 438 (11th Cir.), cert. denied , 513 U.S. 943 (1994), this Court held in a suit under both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Agriculture Workers Protection Act that the “growers,” the owners and operators of the farm upon which the laborers worked was not a joint employer with the contractor. In Antenor v. D&S Farms , 88 F.3d 925, 929 (11th Cir. 1996), involving a similar suit, we held that the growers and the labor contractor were joint employers. At first glance, it might appear that these two cases conflict. Closer examination of the facts in each of the cases reveals the substantial differences that led to different conclusions.
What this issue boils down to then is whether the defendants are like the non-employer growers in the Aimable case, or like the employer growers in the Antenor case. I have constructed a chart attached hereto as an appendix showing the decision as to each regulatory factor made in Aimable , Antenor , and by the district court and the panel in this case, and the evidence on each point. This chart clearly shows that the defendants are more like the growers in Aimable than like the growers in Antenor . A study of the chart will indicate that further discussion in this part of this opinion would be redundant. I would therefore affirm, based upon the evidence revealed in the chart, and the decision of the district court that the Burtons were not joint employers of the plaintiffs in this case and therefore had no duty to carry insurance or a liability bond under section 1841 of the AWPA.
I concur in the other portions of the court’s opinion.
APPENDIX
RE: NO. 96-9212, CHARLES V. BURTON APPLICATION OF THE FACTORS (Column 1)
INDICATING A JOINT EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP CASES, THEIR HOLDINGS AND ANALYSIS Aimable v. Long & Antenor v. D & S Charles v. Burton Per Curiam Opinion Judge Roney’s dissent Scott Farms, 20 Farms, 88 F.3d 925 (district court’s Charles v. Burton, F.3d 434 (11th Cir. (11th Cir. 1996) order) No. 96-9212 ( 1994) (Tjoflat, (Barkett, Carnes, Hatchett, Roney, Birch, Henderson) Dyer) Clark) Held: Burtons were
not joint employers. Held: Growers Held: Burtons were Held: Burtons were were not joint Held: Growers were not joint employers joint employers. employers. joint employers. of plaintiffs.
Nature Does not support a Supports finding of Does not support Supports finding of Does not support a and finding of joint joint employment. finding of joint joint employment. finding of joint degree employment. Long Growers told FLC employment. Burtons determined employment. The type of & Scott did not how many farm Although Burtons particular fields of decisions referred to control control number of workers to bring retained a degree of plaintiffs should by the panel are of workers hired, did each day, determined control over harvest cultivate, when agricultural decisions workers. not demand that precise moment in that they directed plaintiffs would relating to the harvest,
FLC hire or fire picking would begin which fields would begin picking each not worker specific individuals, each day, were free be picked, they field, and supplied management decisions and did not select to delay or stop maintained no plaintiffs with boxes as discussed in specific workers to workers from control over manner that Little Rock Aimable and Antenor. do specific jobs. continuing their in which beans were provided. Burtons The panel Agricultural work, and had ability picked. Details of did not, however, tell acknowledges Burtons decisions like to (and in fact did) harvest were left to Luxama when to did not make direct deciding which assign work to Luxama. commence picking worker management crops to harvest at a specific workers. each day and did not decisions such as when particular time determine whether a the growers would cannot be likened to specific worker commence picking or “control” in AWPA should be when a worker should sense. disciplined. be disciplined.
Degree Does not support a Supports a finding of Does not support a Supports finding of Does not support a of finding of joint joint employment. finding of joint joint employment. finding of joint supervis employment. Growers told employment. Burtons directed employment. While ion of Although Long & workers when to Burtons maintained Luxama to tell Burtons directed work. Scott employees begin picking, extremely limited plaintiffs to harvest Luxama to the
regularly came to distributed boxes, degree of certain areas of farm appropriate fields for the field, they rarely and directly oversaw supervision by and monitored harvesting, the Burtons provided direction and intervened in checking progress of harvesting several did not direct the work to plaintiffs’ work. pickers’ work on harvest 2-3 times per times per day. of the harvest or While Long & Scott daily basis. For day. Luxama was Burtons, however, supervise the plaintiffs employees example, a primarily responsible entrusted most of in the field. occasionally gave supervisor who for supervision of direct supervision Monitoring the harvest FLC commands that worked for the workers. and oversight to several times a day is were relayed to growers made sure Luxama. akin to the “infrequent plaintiffs, Long & baskets were full and assertions of minimal Scott generally left made sure no trash oversight” discussed in supervision and was in baskets, and Aimable. growers complained oversight to FLC.
to FLC that job was not going fast enough.
27 Power Does not support a Supports finding of Does not support a Does not support a Does not support a to finding of joint joint employment. finding of joint finding of joint finding of joint determi employment. FLC Growers’ exercise of employment. employment. employment. Luxama ne rates alone determined some control over Luxama determined Luxama controlled controlled the rates and plaintiffs’ wages, pickers’ pay how much, when, pay rates, determined and method of methods which workers to evidenced by fact and the manner in how plaintiffs payment. Does not of pay. pay on piece-rate that they deducted which plaintiffs were received their pay support a finding of
basis or hourly money for worker’s paid. Citing and when they joint employment. basis, and when and compensation Aimable, court received payment. Luxama controlled pay if to increase wages. insurance and social rejected contention The panel considered rates, determined how
security from that Burtons paying social plaintiffs received their amount they paid determined pay security taxes and pay and when they FLC per box picked because they paid providing workers received payment. We and gave FLC a Luxama and compensation under consider paying social separate check for plaintiffs’ pay an additional factor security taxes and the employer and necessarily depended enunciated in the providing workers employees’ share of on what Luxama was 1997 amendments to compensation under an taxes. Growers the AWPA, additional factor paid. decided which “Whether the enunciated in the 1997 insurance to buy and appellees undertook amendments to the named themselves as responsibilities in AWPA, “Whether the the policyholders. relation to the appellees undertook This limited FLC’s appellants that responsibilities in freedom to allocate employers relation to the money he received commonly perform,” appellants that for his services. concluding that the employers commonly
evidence perform,” and demonstrated the conclude that the evidence demonstrated Burtons had no responsibility in the Burtons had no paying, FICA taxes responsibility in or providing workers paying, FICA taxes or compensation providing workers insurance for compensation plaintiffs. insurance for
plaintiffs. 28 Right to Does not support a Supports finding of Does not support a Supports a finding of Does not support a hire, finding of joint joint employment. finding of joint joint employment. finding of joint fire, or employment. Long Growers had power employment. No Burtons planted and employment. No modify & Scott never to veto FLC’s hiring evidence that fertilized the snap evidence that Burtons employ mandated that a decisions and to Burtons had bean crop and had power to make ment worker be hired or modify conditions authority to hire or directed Luxama to hiring or firing conditio fired, never shifted such as hours pickers fire individual have plaintiffs decision or to modify ns. a worker from one worked. For workers. Weather, harvest it on certain conditions such as the
pay classification to example, the growers size of beans, size dates. Burtons hours plaintiffs another or from one monitored pickers’ and skill of crew, decided ultimately worked. The fact that task to another, and job qualifications and acreage all when plaintiffs the Burtons planted never dictated hours instead of relying on determined amount would begin picking and fertilized the crop a worker was to FLC to do so when of time plaintiffs the crop, where they and directed Luxama work. they stopped work could work. But would pick it, and to harvest it on certain
until they could within the time for how long. dates does exhibit the verify compliance allowed by these Burtons, however, type of specific power with new factors, Luxama did not enjoy “veto” over plaintiffs’ immigration laws. controlled the power over employment Also, growers number of hours Luxama’s hiring conditions dictated pickers’ plaintiffs worked, decisions and did not contemplated in hours by deciding and decided which modify conditions Antenor and Aimable. when work would task each would such as plaintiffs’ begin, by forcing perform. For daily hours. pickers to stop example, not every working when prices plaintiff actually were bad, and by picked beans -- some once sending other collected boxes and picking crews into distributed tickets. fields, causing plaintiffs to run out of work by noon.
29 Permane Factor irrelevant Did not discuss. Did not consider, Factors weighs Does not support a ncy and because it following Aimable’s against finding of finding of joint exclusiv demonstrates only holding that this joint employment. employment. ity and that plaintiffs were factor is irrelevant to Plaintiffs (and Plaintiffs (and duration employees of FLC, determine joint Luxama) worked for Luxama) worked for of not whether they employment status. another farm during another farm during employ- were also snap bean harvest. snap bean harvest. ment. employees of Long Although Luxama Although Luxama
& Scott: (1) the fact returned to Burtons’ returned to Burtons’ that FLC worked for farm three years, farm three years, Long & Scott for plaintiffs did not plaintiffs did not many years has no present evidence that present evidence that bearing on whether they returned all they returned all three plaintiffs were three years. (Despite years. Need to employed jointly by Aimable’s holding address this factor Long & Scott, and that this factor is because it is listed in (2) plaintiffs worked irrelevant, Judge the 1997 amendments to AWPA regulations. exclusively for FLC Hatchett considered during harvest this factor because it seasons at Long & is listed in the 1997 Scott’s farms and amendments to other farms. AWPA regulations.)
Degree Factor not relevant Did not discuss. Did not consider, Weighs in favor of Irrelevant to this of skill because it shows following Aimable’s finding of “economic analysis because it required only that crop holding that this dependence.” supports finding of to pickers were factor is irrelevant in Picking beans is a economic dependence, perform employees, not who analyzing joint repetitive, rote task but does not address the job. employed them. employment. requiring little issue of joint
training. (Despite employment. Aimable’s holding that factor irrelevant, Judge Hatchett considered this factor because it is listed in the 1997 amendments to AWPA regulations.)
30 Perfor Favors finding of Favors finding of Favors finding of Favors finding of Supports finding of m-ance joint employment joint employment joint employment joint employment joint employment of a because crop- because picking was because plaintiffs because picking snap because picking snap specialt picking was “a line- line job integral to performed a line-job beans was integral to beans was integral to y job job integral to the growers’ overall integral to the both harvesting and both harvesting and integral harvesting and production process. harvesting and producing snap producing snap beans, to production of production of salable beans, which is the which is the Burtons’ business salable vegetables.” vegetables. Burtons’ business. business. . Owners Favors finding of Favors finding of Favors finding of Favors finding of Supports finding of hip of joint employment employment because joint employment. joint employment joint employment facilities because crop- pickers worked on No dispute that the because Burtons because Burtons where pickers worked on land owned by work was performed owned property owned property where work land owned by Long growers. on the Burtons’ where crops were crops were grown. occurred & Scott. farm. grown. . Preparat Does not support Supports finding of Does not favor Does not support Does not support ion of finding of joint joint employment. finding of joint finding of joint finding of joint payroll employment. FLC Growers computed employment. employment. employment. Burtons and was responsible for and segregated social Luxama paid wages. Burtons had no had no responsibility payment calculating security taxes and Neither Luxama nor responsibility in in preparing or making of plaintiffs’ wages purchased worker’s the Burtons prepared preparing or making payrolls, paying FICA wages. and paying wages. compensation a payroll. payrolls, paying taxes, or providing
insurance. FICA taxes, or worker’s providing worker’s compensation compensation insurance. insurance.
Investm Irrelevant. Shows Supports finding of Did not consider, Does not support Irrelevant to this ent in that plaintiffs were joint employment. following Aimable’s finding of joint analysis because it equip- employees, not Growers owned holding that this employment. JWH supports a finding of ment independent virtually all factor is not relevant considered this economic dependence, and contractors, because equipment and to analysis of joint factor together with but does not address facilities they had little or no facilities used by employment. the “preparation of issue of joint . investment in farm workers: payroll ...” factor employment.
equipment. It does picking boxes, lids above (in accordance not show who and wires used to with AWPA employed them, close them, pallets regulations, he however, because on which boxes considered both Long & Scott and placed, and trucks factors under the FLC made used to transport collective heading, significant boxes to “Whether the investments in packinghouse. FLC appellees undertook equipment and had no equipment or responsibilities in facilities (for vehicles of his own. relation to the example, FLC appellants that invested in trucks, employers tools, and a labor commonly camp where pickers perform”),and lived while Long & concluded that Scott invested in although Little Rock mule train, crates, provided boxes and a and facilities). trailer for the
Burtons to use, and “[a]lthough the appellees provided certain materials useful in the appellants’ work, . . . the appellees did not undertake any other functions that an employer normally performed.”)
32 Opportu Irrelevant. Did not discuss. Did not consider, Did not discuss. Need not consider as it nity for Plaintiffs had no following Aimable’s does not aid the joint profit opportunity for holding that this employment analysis. and loss. profit or loss. factor does not aid
Although this shows the analysis of joint that plaintiffs were employment. not independent contractors, it does not show who their employer was.
