Fanciful and D’Arrigo Bros. pay $17,000 to farmworker in retaliation case.

Fanciful Company Inc. and D’Arrigo Bros. Co., two Salinas-based agricultural companies that provide services ranging from produce cultivation to packaging and shipping, have paid $17,000 in lost wages to a farmworker who alleged he was fired in retaliation for raising concerns about working conditions for himself and his co-workers.

The farmworker reached a settlement last month with the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB), claiming his concerns included the fast speed of a cauliflower harvesting machine, lack of cooling breaks during hot weather, and incorrect wage payments. The complaint was filed on Dec. 20, 2024.

Under the terms of the settlement, the companies agreed to respect farmworkers’ right to organize and speak out to improve working conditions without retaliation. They also offered reinstatement to the worker.

Fanciful Company Inc. specializes in the cultivation, packing, and wholesale distribution of fresh produce in Salinas, with sites across Monterey County focused largely on cauliflower.

D’Arrigo Bros. Co., a long-time agricultural company also headquartered in Salinas and known by its “Andy Boy” brand, is involved in packaging, shipping, and seed research and development, with a focus on broccoli, broccoli rabe, cauliflower, fennel and romaine hearts.

ALRB agents will visit the worker’s former cauliflower harvesting crew to read a notice informing agricultural workers of their rights under the Agricultural Labor Relations Act. As part of the settlement, the notice will be posted at relevant locations for 60 days and mailed to current and former crew members.

D’Arrigo Bros. did not respond for comment. Fanciful Company could not be reached.