by Steve Reinbrecht
A Berks County
mushroom-farm executive told employees Thursday morning to not be afraid to come to work despite
rumors of federal immigration efforts in the area.
The company leader
spoke at a meeting at the company’s plant in Muhlenberg Township.
The boss lamented
that the company has recently lost three work days – a “day without immigrants”
protest Feb. 16, a snow day March 14, and Wednesday.
That’s when many
mushroom pickers did not show up because of the rumors of federal Immigration and
Customs Enforcement efforts.
One said, “I’d
rather miss a day of work than go with ICE.”
The executive told
workers that company officials would know beforehand of any immigration raids
planned at the farm.
I couldn’t reach
company officials, and really, what would they say?
Why would workers be
afraid to come to work if they had proper documents?
