Apple harvest ending and workers leaving for home
Posted October 27, 2008 by John T. Ryan
A joyous atmosphere prevailed on the Mannix Road Sunday, October 26, 2008. Thirty-five Forrence Orchard workers gathered their belongings and awaited the arrival of a bus that would take them to Miami where they will board a plane and return to their homes in Jamaica. Orchard Manager Seth Forrence and Jamaican worker liaison Clayton Solomon were on hand to see the men off and thank them for their hard work. Seth Forrence said when the men arrive in Peru they weren’t carrying much more than a suitcase. Today they filled the bus with everything from flat screen televisions to bicycles. (more photos)
Clayton Solomon is one of thirty Jamaican Central Labor Organization liaisons stationed across the United States. He explained, “My responsibility includes working with the orchards on worker conditions, arrival times and duties. I also ensure the men apply themselves with diligence.” Solomon said that some of the men work in Peru from March until November while the majority arrive for the harvest in late August and remain here for about eight weeks. There were 850 Jamaican workers in Clinton and Essex Counties this year with 610 in the Peru-Plattsburgh area. Forrence Orchards employed 220 men.
Once the men were seated on the bus Solomon boarded and thanked them for their hard work and noted that they were all in good health. He said, “Give thanks, be happy and give thanks.” Solomon said 2008 has been a good season with no one suffering serious injuries. Picking apples can be dangerous, especially when a ladder slips and a worker falls to the ground. Ankle and leg injuries are common. Sometimes something as simple as a falling apple can strike a worker in the eye causing serious injury. Solomon oversees the men when they receive medical treatment here and follows up when they arrive back home.
Several of these men have been coming to Forrence Orchards for many years. Rupert Dixon, Patrick Anglin and Darlington Rudolph have been coming to Forrence’s for 20 years, Kenneth Thompson for 25 years and Mervin Green has been coming since 1979. Green is the lead supervisor at the Mannix Road facility.
Seth Forrence said teamwork and efficiency are the keys to a successful apple harvest. Based on the handshakes and hugs taking place as the Jamaican workers boarded their bus, it was obvious that these men know that they are a vital and appreciated part of the Forrence Orchard team.
Posted: October 27th, 2008 under General News.