Article 5. Association Of Produce Dealers of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 20. >> Chapter 8. >> Article 5.

In order to facilitate the carrying out of their responsibilities pursuant to this chapter, the produce dealers that operate in a market may organize an association. A produce dealer shall not be required to become or to be a member of such association, but any such association shall admit to membership any produce dealer that operates in the market. If a produce dealer is admitted to membership in the association, he shall not be subject to any assessment or payment except those which are necessary to carry out his responsibilities pursuant to this chapter.

An association may do all of the following:
  (a) Obtain a dispatching service from which registered unloaders may be sent to the places where their services are required.
  (b) Act as the bargaining agent to establish with a union the scale of charges for unloading any farm product in the market in accordance with this chapter.
  (c) Provide for watchman service to protect and give a receipt for any farm product which is delivered to a market at times when the market is not otherwise in operation.

The costs of services of an association to its members for carrying out any of the activities which are provided for or required by this chapter are subject to review by the director. No cost or expenditure for any other purpose shall be payable by any produce dealer except on an entirely voluntary basis. The director shall from time to time on his own motion, or at the request of a produce dealer, review the activities of the association to determine if any charge is made against any produce dealer in violation of this chapter.