What was the holding of the court in the Holly Farms Corporation case?

The court held that live-haul workers are covered employees rather than exempt agricultural laborers. This decision is pivotal in distinguishing between types of labor that fall under protections of labor laws versus those that may not. The ruling underscores that live-haul workers, who transport poultry from farms to processing plants, perform tasks that contribute to the production process in a manner that is integral to the overall operation of the poultry industry. This means that they are entitled to the same labor protections and rights as other employees working in more traditional manufacturing or processing settings, consequently ensuring better coverage under labor laws, including collective bargaining rights. This classification as covered employees reflects an understanding that the nature of their work is not purely agricultural in the sense that would typically exempt them from such protections.