According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 10.1 million job openings nationwide as of the end of June. With multiple industries feeling the effects of this record shortage, North Texas is no exception.
Victor Garcia is the owner of Sol Dias Ice Cream in Haltom City. As a small business owner, he said he felt the pressure of the record nationwide labor shortage. There is fierce competition for employees.
“Since the pandemic started, I feel like things started with it. And it was a challenge, ”said Garcia. “Just last week we had five interviews scheduled and three of them called ahead and said, ‘I have a job at McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Taco Cabana.'”
Chris Dharod works with dozens of restaurants across North Texas as the president of SSCP Management, Inc. He said employers should adjust to the long term.
“I think we unfortunately still have at least six months of hard staffing ahead of us and that could take us 12-18 years in the end,” said Dharod.
The problem even affects school systems. Several districts in North Texas said they had found it difficult to fill bus driver positions. Plano ISD released a statement stating that the transportation department has increased pay for bus drivers to $ 21 an hour. While looking for qualified drivers, bus routes are being combined to alleviate the problem.
There are multiple reasons for absenteeism, including millions of people who have decided to retire, change jobs, or simply quit. Garcia tries to assert himself and hopes for a turnaround.
“If you need five or ten people and only have two or three, how do we get things going?” He said.
Federal extended unemployment benefits ended last week, so employers suspect there is hope for relief if these people enter the labor market soon. However, according to CNBC, more needs to be done to remain competitive in the labor market, beyond just raising wages.
[ad_1]
