Article 5. Charges For Unloading Produce of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 20. >> Chapter 8.5. >> Article 5.

(a) Any union representing registered unloaders is authorized and entitled to bargain with the employer of the registered unloaders to establish a scale of charges for unloading produce.
  (b) If the union or unions representing registered unloaders and the employer of registered unloaders are unable to agree on a scale of charges, the Public Employment Relations Board shall mediate the dispute pursuant to Section 3601 of the Government Code.
  (c) The scale of charges in effect on December 31, 1978, shall remain in effect until new charges are established pursuant to this section.

The scale of charges which is established shall be the standard charge for unloading any farm product in the market.

A person shall not charge or receive any payment for unloading any farm product in excess of the standard charge which is established for the market.

Each produce dealer shall post and maintain a legible copy of the effective scale of charges established under this article in a conspicuous place at his place of business where it is readily visible at all times during which any farm product is delivered to such place of business.

The commissioner or his representative shall investigate any complaint brought to his attention involving produce dealers or registered unloaders.

If a scale of charges is not established pursuant to bargaining as provided for in Section 57031, the union may propose a scale of charges for approval by the director.

After receipt of the scale of charges proposed by the union pursuant to Section 57036, the director shall fix a time and place for a hearing on the matter. Notice of the hearing shall be published and mailed to each produce dealer in the Counties of Alameda and San Mateo and in the City and County of San Francisco and to the union. The director shall also notify any or all haulers and producers of any farm product which is delivered to the market.

(a) At the hearing the director shall consider any relevant matters that may be presented.
  (b) At or after the conclusion of the hearing, the director shall determine whether or not the proposed scale is reasonable. If the director determines that the proposed scale is reasonable, the director shall approve it and thereafter that scale of charges shall be the standard charge for unloading any farm product in the market. If the director determines that the scale is unreasonable, the director shall adjust the scale or any item of the scale so that the scale is not unreasonably higher than the prevailing rate for similar work which is performed under similar conditions. After this adjustment, the scale shall be the standard charge for unloading any farm product in the market.
  (c) In making the determination and, if necessary, the adjustment required in subdivision (b), the director shall compare the scale proposed by the union with any available information relating to the charges for similar work which is performed under similar conditions in the city in, or for, which the market is operated. The director may take into consideration any rates set by the Public Utilities Commission for the performance of work of a similar nature.

The director may by regulation establish a fee in the amount necessary to cover the costs that are incurred by the Department of Industrial Relations in implementing this article. Each party participating in a hearing conducted pursuant to this article shall pay an equal share of the fee.