No, they sure didn't want to do the work for the wages offered.
I spoke recently to someone who used to live in one of those small Mid-West towns with a packinghouse. The economy of the town was dependent upon those 200 to 300 jobs.
Back then it was still HARD, dirty work ... but a man could make an honest living for his family working 40hr wks. And there were Little League teams w/ sponsored uniforms from the local Dairy Queen, and the Bank etc, and the community was completely safe and everything functioned, including the 4th of July Parade w/ marching HS Band and Fire Truck.
The decline began with the hiring of just a few 'Mexicans' and slowly continued yr by yr until one day folks woke up and there were more than just a few. And the wages had steadily stagnated until it became absolutely impossible to support an American family unless you were willing to live 10 to a 2br house.
By then the hiring supervisor was from south-of-the-border and had no trouble replacing any disgruntled worker within a week with a new eager fresh brown face, who didn't speak any English, but NEVER complained about anything ... mistaken hr/pay discrepencies, long dangerous hours worked, safety concerns, (non)benefits, etc.
This all took a few years, but eventually the town was deserted by the former LEGAL American inhabitants, who drifted on, looking for a happier life.
I've witnessed this same scenario take place up here in Alaska with the yr-round Factory Trawler work, along with the seasonal Cannery jobs, that back in the '60's were performed by Alaska Natives and native Alaskans who used to be able to depend on the seasonal fishery work to keep a flexible frontier life together up here. Many American college students could also depend on finding a summer job up here to pay for next yrs tuition. ME included.
NO MORE !!!
Those jobs and wages have been totally LOST ... jobsites completely taken over, and wages depressed beyond viability by gangs of Illegal Aliens primarily from Mexico and the Phillipines.
The former workers are now working 'Service Economy Jobs' at Fred Meyer for $7, or collecting welfare/disability at home while watching Jerry Springer and Ophra.
Pickup trucks are being replaced on the streets now with honest-to-G_d L.A. Low-riders, and boom-box Hondas w/ the blacked out windows.
When Savage talks about the need to save our American Culture, I understand EXACTLY what he is saying ... I've watched the Illegal problem steadily grow right here in Alaska.