Labor Shortage, Lack of Pay shortage, lack of will to work, or Lack of actual people shortage?

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DJ Ricky B

DJ Extraordinaire
Mar 9, 2015
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We recently hired a contractor to fix up our shed, and put aluminum siding around it. It is an old 35+ year old shed that has electrri ran out to it. So we didn't want to buy a whole new shed and tear this one down. The wood panels are decaying, and holes are appearing. We had the roof replaced on it 4 years ago.

Well, the contractor we hired had his Van break down the first day he was supposed to come. (Could have lied, but I hope he was telling the truth). It took him almost a week to get his van back because the shop he had it towed to was short staffed. He finally came one day, and started the work. He said that the guy that was scheduled to work with him didn't show up. So he said without a 2nd guy helping him, the job is going to take longer to complete. He himself didn't show up Monday, or Tuesday he said because of no help, and multiple jobs going on right now. Supposed to come tomorrow. I guess we will see.

The guy we pay to cut our lawn has been GREAT for the last 6 or so years we have been using him. Last year he had trouble finding help...He started offering $22/hr. This year apparently it is even worse finding people willing to work! He use to have two full crews out every day in the summer time. He is having trouble keeping a single crew right now. He was supposed to be here Monday...couldn't come...nobody came to work for the day he said. He said he will try to be here today. They didn't show. Maybe he will come tomorrow? Both days were nice weather days too!

I hear in the news that flights across the country are being cancelled every day...It's not just a few dozen flights per day...IT IS THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS EVERY DAY! Apparently, there is a major shortage of Pilots. Also, to a lesser extent, flight attendants.

The deli at my local grocery store is ALWAYS BUSY. Any time I want lunch meats/cheese from the deli in there I gotta prepare to wait 20-40 minutes. I do some shopping while holding my number, and come back and still wait for 10+ minutes before it's my turn. They have had a sign up for at least a year offering $15/hr for deli workers. They NEVER have more than 3 people on at a time, and often only 2 people. I ask the workers, and they say that they hire people, and people are super flaky. Not showing up. Always calling out. Not working their schedule. Only coming in for 1-2 maybe 3 shifts a week, and scheduled 5 shifts. People are coming in late all the time causing the workers who are there to work harder/later without a break.

The local Arby's here has kept their lobby essentially permanently closed, and only having the drive thru open because they can't hire enough staff. They tried to open their dining room in late March only to end up closing it down 2 weeks later again. It's not because of fear of Covid. They simply can't open because they don't have enough staff to handle it.

I thought that these labor shortage issues would work themselves out after last year, and at least be better this year, but it seems to either be the same, or WORSE than how it was last summer. What do you all make of this whole labor problem thing our country is dealing with? Is it different where you are?
 
It's the working conditions that are driving people away. Covid fear and associated policies have turned our workplaces into hostile and often authoritarian environments that are unhealthy and undesirable. We are living and working in the most hostile and judgmental society of any period in American History and as a result people are finding ways to withdraw from those unhealthy work and social structures.

"Don't tread on me" is a notion that can just as easily manifest in a silent boycott or even simple acquiescence, as opposed to active resistance.

We are experiencing the results of "equity." Equity prescribes entitlement (equality of result, collectivism vs the individual or family) rather than meritocracy which prescribes only equality of opportunity, not reward. Equity destroys incentive and stifles initiative which is why communist countries like China have to steal their technology while their populations live in underwhelming conditions. Countries like Russia have to conscript their military troops where the U.S. has been a volunteer force for nearly a half-century.

If you look at what is being done to women's sports - then it becomes very clear what is being done to our economy. Lia Thomas is to women's sports as equity is to our economy and social order.

Welcome to the "Great Reset."
 
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Southwestern Pa here, south of Pittsburgh, and seeing pretty much the EXACT same thing. Especially in the lower paying job positions and more labor intensive positions. Very few of the fast food places here have their lobby open for the reasons you've said, and the ones that do, usually people know the service is so bad, they don't go in there anyways. That's more poor management in my opinion, but apparently you can't find good managers for those places anymore either. I know a lot of the local Sheetz (popular gas station that serves some made to order food, beer, and stuff) always has signs up for $15/hr and an extra $1.50 an hour for night shift. That's a pretty easy gig for decent pay in my opinion.

I seriously cannot figure out the economy around me. Every place has "Help Wanted" signs up, I know the oilfield jobs are hiring, my employer is hiring, and they all say they can't anyone willing to work that can pass a drug test. On the flip side of that, around here, new cars are flying off the lots, you can't find a new ATV/motorcycle anywhere, and the stores are always packed full of people. I understand there are some shortages in the supply chain for vehicles and other things, but it seems that nobody is working, but everyone is still spending money.

I'm only 46, but I've kept steady job since I was 14 working to provide for myself and now my family enough to just exist... not a lavish lifestyle, but to be content. I'd sure like to find out how some of these other folks are doing it... I feel like I'm doing it all wrong. lol. I want to not work, go on 10 vacations, and drive a $75k truck. :p
 
Covid gave the Dems an excuse to give away free money. Free money conditioned people that they don't need to work. Not sure what they're doing for money but obviously there are lots of people who got used to doing nothing and enjoyed it.
 
Countries like Russia have to conscript their military troops where the U.S. has been a volunteer force for nearly a half-century

While that is true many...Like 75%+ come from families living in poor areas and living under the poverty line it's somewhat a forced choice

Covid gave the Dems an excuse to give away free money. Free money conditioned people that they don't need to work. Not sure what they're doing for money but obviously there are lots of people who got used to doing nothing and enjoyed it.

a Republican President signed the first two in to law and lets be honest if $1400 is keeping you not working for a year and a half you aren't living very high
 
In my opinion, what's happening is there are a bunch of companies that have or had orders that needed to be filled. The demand is was driven from companies being short on supply due to raw materials shortages and shipping challenge, so everyone panic bought because they weren't sure when they'd get it. Which made the problem worse
So companies needed more employees, and they pay more than the service industry
Well things are starting to show up with more to come. Future orders will start dropping dramatically when the stock is full, which will push people back to service job.
A friend of mine runs a True Value hardware depot. He has over 75 trailers of merchandise that he doesn't have enough workers or space to unload the product. Much of this stuff was ordered 2 years ago.

People still need to work. I don't buy the "nobody wants to work". I don't "want" to work. I need to work. I like living indoors and having stuff. 😁 Don't believe there are people living luxurious lives from government handouts (besides Sports team owners, that is😁

I'm against the government doling out money. Republicans and democrats do it. I used to think it was just democrats. Of course I don't want to see anyone starve, but some people need to realize hard/smart work will solve most issues. For 99.9% of people, the financial situation they are in are a result of their choices. The good news is better choices can and will lead to better results.
 
I'm only 46, but I've kept steady job since I was 14 working to provide for myself and now my family enough to just exist... not a lavish lifestyle, but to be content. I'd sure like to find out how some of these other folks are doing it... I feel like I'm doing it all wrong. lol. I want to not work, go on 10 vacations, and drive a $75k truck. :p

Don't fall for the facade. Some people can live above their means for a good amount of time. But a slight bump in the road can send them spiraling and can tempt a previously honest person to make really bad choices. Peace of mind will always beat a stretched for lavish lifestyle.
 
a Republican President signed the first two in to law and lets be honest if $1400 is keeping you not working for a year and a half you aren't living very high

I'm not talking about stimulus, I'm talking about the extended unemployment. I personally know of any number of people who sat on their behinds at home, all because they got paid more from the govt to not work than they did to get up in the morning and go to work. Even when it was coming to an end it amazed me at the people who just refused to go back to work, expecting the govt to keep taking care of them. That mindset is proving hard to squash.
 
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While that is true many...Like 75%+ come from families living in poor areas and living under the poverty line it's somewhat a forced choice

"Whil that is true.." WTF?

Reducing a population to poverty is one of the most effective and persistent uses of force known.
No sure why you're so ready to excuse it.
 
I personally know of any number of people who sat on their behinds at home, all because they got paid more from the govt to not work than they did to get up in the morning and go to work.

That's exactly the problem who in their right mind would turn down a raise in income to not work? In some cases some of those folks were getting double what they made in a week and no expenses. All my life I have had at least 2 things on the go at all times sometimes several more but Double my income and tell me to stay home you'll find my ample ass on the couch




"Whil that is true.." WTF?

Reducing a population to poverty is one of the most effective and persistent uses of force known.
No sure why you're so ready to excuse it.
You are arguing against your own point now Bob classic....

Hate to break it to you but reducing people to poverty has been the game as long as I've been alive the middle class is dead hence why there are so many "Volunteering"
 
I don't think you're capable of that determination.

You make a point then argue the opposite it doesn't take the FBI to make that determination