US (FL): Mushroom farm workers want help to keep business booming

Folks working at the mushroom farm formerly known as Quincy Farms are hoping some stimulus money will help stimulate the mushroom industry and help save their jobs.

Florida Prime is the company using the facility formally operated by Quincy Farms.

Workers there say they are thankful that Florida Prime stepped up to try and save some jobs, but the company is under financial stress and workers fear history may soon repeat itself.

"The company is in a bad situation now where we're facing possible closure. We presently employ some 200 people and that would mean 200 people on unemployment," said Les States, a mushroom farm worker.

With so many national companies getting federal bailouts, these workers feel like the little people are being overlooked.

"I keep seeing on TV all the time about unemployment rate going up, going up and they talk about trying to save jobs. But it seems to me that no one is listening, no one is trying to help these 200 people out here that need their jobs," said Ricky Bennett.

Jobs that could soon be lost if some assistance isn't given to Florida Prime.

Many workers haven't seen a paycheck in weeks because of slow sales, but they say they aren't giving up.

"You will find out that the people want to work. We want to work. We don't want to be on unemployment, we don't want to be a burden. We want to take care of ourselves and our family," said Clara Davis, who works as a mushroom farmer.

Until more money comes in, the chances of unemployment lines growing are far greater.


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Publication date: 11/5/2009
Author: Shailaja VR
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

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