The following report is from USA Today:
Several states are facing a shortage of salt-truck and snowplow drivers, potentially bringing day-to-day difficulties for motorists and slowing emergency services as winter weather begins to arrive across much of the U.S.
Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wyoming – all of which typically have snow on the roadways during the winter months – are still recruiting snowplow drivers this season, according to AccuWeather.
Six of those states – Colorado, Ohio, Oregon, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania – are each looking to hire more than 100 people.
It’s not just for the traveling public, but it’s also for emergency services, the ambulances and police and fire and all that. We need to keep the roads clear so people can get around, especially in emergency situations.
Mark Geib, administrator of the Transportation Systems Management Operations division at the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Geib said he hasn’t seen a snowplow driver shortage like this during his 30 years at MDOT. He added that the shortage is likely due to a competitive job market – the private sector is offering bonuses and higher wages, and it can be hard for MDOT to compete because it has pre-set salaries.
In Ohio, the state’s Department of Transportation has more than 190 open positions.
In some parts of the state, our applications are down about 50% from where they would expect to be. The good thing is, we have drivers. We have people who will get the roads clear in Ohio. How many seasonal [workers] we get will determine how quickly we get those roads cleared.
ODOT public information officer Matt Bruning told AccuWeather.
The department has a goal to get the primary roads clear within two hours of the end of a snow event and the secondary routes within four hours. While the department hits that goal 95% of the time, Bruning said, this year might prove more challenging.
In Colorado, the state’s Department of Transportation is seeing a shortage of about 18% to 19% of its snowplow operators, John Lorme, director of maintenance and operations for the CDOT, told AccuWeather.
CDOT currently has about 190 permanent positions available for entry-level maintenance with roughly 100 other temporary positions open, he said.
Cities are also feeling the pinch of the snowplow driver shortage. In Milwaukee, the city’s Department of Public Works has reported that it is finding it “extremely challenging” to find workers to drive the snowplows amid a nationwide labor shortage and high competition for workers with commercial driver’s licenses.
Milwaukee officials are hoping a $2.59 bump in minimum hourly pay will help head off what could be a dire staffing shortage that would likely require more time to clear snow from the roads.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
“Competitive job market?” -Oh please, spare me the lies. There is a labor shortage of state and city workers to plow and salt the streets because they have been fired for not taking the death jab; plus, factoring in their lingering stimmie benefits, playing the crypto pyramid scheme, etc. This stuff always makes me laugh, especially when many other headlines are now going off about undeniable labor shortages across swaths of sectors.
Nevertheless, I see this as opportunity for some of you:
[37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.Matthew 9:37-38
I’m using that passage for instruction in righteousness, as Jesus was clearly not talking about snowplow drivers; but my point is, to those out there that have the means, and maybe need/want some extra cash, doing some plowing might be something to consider. Even if it’s not for the state, many local businesses NEED to have parking lots cleared for customers and workers. So perhaps strike a deal soon to get some extra cash this winter. This is of course easier said then done, but I am just floating out some ideas for some of you potentially. Do more homework on the matter.
My point is, there is opportunity to be had out, beyond just plowing. Analyze it and perhaps jump in.
But beyond all this, for those in America (and not just the 11 states mentioned in this report), prepare for a LOT of snow this winter, and for a lot shutdowns because of these shortages. Therefore, continue to add to your preparations. Consider more durable snow shovels, extra salt, extra fuel for your blower, etc.; along with more winter clothing.
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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“But beyond all this, for those in America (and not just the 11 states mentioned in this report), prepare for a LOT of snow this winter, and for a lot shutdowns because of these shortages. Therefore, continue to add to your preparations. Consider more durable snow shovels, extra salt, extra fuel for your blower, etc.; along with more winter clothing.”
Things already slow down in the winter as far as moving freight goes (trucks and vans hauling goods) because of the poor road conditions (wet slick roads, snow, sleet, ice, blizzards, and whatnot). If there aren’t enough salt trucks dusting the road with salt to prevent ice formation so the roads aren’t slick/closed, but are instead making wrecks and rollovers more likely that can destroy cargo and block off roads or cause massive delays, and also snow plows clearing the way so everyone can move, this will cause a further delay in the supply chain because trucks will be held up delivering their goods to warehouses, and ultimately local truckers and vans delivering goods to stores near you, or to your doorstep… sorry this is one big run-on sentence, I’m just trying to the point across.
I thought they said that there is global warming?????