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YOUR Independent Community Newspaper Vol. 10 Edition 38
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023
Jamaican ‘mayor’ loves working in Dresden first annual Guest Worker Appreciation Day held in Dresden. Around 100 workers Pixley Gaynor has a sim- live in the work camp, adjacent to the plant, ple philosophy for life. “Hard work doesn’t hurt where they toil seven anyone,” he said. “Put days a week. Gaynor, affectionalin the time, follow the ly known guidelines, as “the get prop- “Hard work doesn’t m a y o r ” er rest and hurt anyone. Put in the on the job, food, and knows the you can’t be time, follow the guideConagra wrong. It’s lines, get proper rest as simple as and food, and you can’t c a n n i n g that.” be wrong. It’s as simple process inside and The Jamaiout and can citizen, as that.” is often a seasonal - Pixley Gaynor looked at worker in Canada for the past 32 as a mentor for youngyears, knows of what he er workers who come to speaks. He’s been work- work from his Caribbean ing at the Conagra’s homeland. “I know all the jobs,” he Dresden canning plant told The Voice in a recent for the last 28 years. The 69-year-old was interview, noting he has among the nearly 100 a good relationship with Jamaican workers hon- supervisors at the facilioured last month at the ty and is able help show By Pam Wright Local Journalism Initiative pamwrightlji@gmail.com
younger workers the ropes. “It’s a family, a team thing,” he said. “When a person is out of line, you are able to correct them. You don’t need to go to the manager because you can speak to the guys as we’re all Jamaicans. “If you co-operate, it will surprise you,” he added. “You will get very, very far. Work becomes very easy.” He said there are many aspects of Canadian life that are different for Jamaican workers, including simple things such as riding bikes. Jamaican vehicle traffic uses the British system, driving opposite to the way it’s done in Canada. According to Gaynor, he has become fond of the quiet and clean town of Dresden and he feels like part of the community. Continued on page 19
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Saluting our farmers
Pam Wright/The Chatham Voice
An old-school windmill stands tall on a farm near Wallaceburg. You don’t see many of these in use anymore, but what you do see is the vital crops our farmers grow in Chatham-Kent. Check out our farm section in this week’s paper, starting on page 11.