Want a Job? Go West, where Ads are unanswered

[Hum]

HELENA, Mont. - The owner of a fast food joint in Montana's booming oil patch found himself outsourcing the drive-thru window to a Texas telemarketing firm, not because it's cheaper but because he can't find workers.

Record low unemployment across parts of the West has created tough working conditions for business owners, who in places are being forced to boost wages or be creative to fill their jobs.

John Francis, who owns the McDonald's in Sidney, Mont., said he tried advertising in the local newspaper and even offered up to $10 an hour to compete with higher-paying oil field jobs. Yet the only calls were from other business owners upset they would have to raise wages, too. Of course, Francis' current employees also wanted a pay hike.]

"I don't know what the answer is," Francis said. "There's just nobody around that wants to work."

Unemployment rates have been as low as 2 percent this year in places like Montana, and nearly as low in neighboring states. Economists cite such factors as an aging work force and booming tourism economies for the tight labor market.

For places like Montana, it has been a steady climb in the nearly two decades since the timber and mining industry recession. The state approached double-digit unemployment levels in the 1980s and began the slow crawl back in the early 1990s.

"This is actually the biggest economic story of our time, and we don't quite grasp it because it is 15 years in the making," said economist Larry Swanson, director of the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West at the University of Montana.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports the mountain West region ? covering eight states along the Rocky Mountains ? has the lowest overall unemployment rate in the nation. The region hit an all-time low of 3.4 percent in May.

The effects are everywhere. Logging equipment in Idaho sits idle as companies have a tough time finding workers. A shortage of lifeguards has forced Helena to shorten hours at children-only pools. A local paper in Jackson, Wyo., has page after page of help wanted ads.

In Jackson Hole, the Four Seasons Resort still had openings in late July. The problem has created longer hours and tougher working conditions for current employees.

For years, the resort has imported dozens of workers from Eastern Europe who often come as much for the summer recreation opportunity as the money. This year, however, that wasn't enough and so for the first time the resort also sent recruiters to a high school job fair, said spokeswoman Greer Terry. It only helped a little.

"It's been a struggle finding employees this summer," Terry said.

Economists say there are a number of reasons why parts of the West are feeling the labor pinch.

Established baby boomers, including retirees, have been moving into Montana for the mountain views and recreation, bringing with them money for new homes that fuel construction job growth, said Swanson.

Along the way, younger people have moved away searching for bigger paychecks as the state's wages still lag behind other areas and are slowly increasing overall. Now, the aging work force is unable to expand to meet the demands of the job market, Swanson said.

He said the problem is compounded by the fact that employers, accustomed to paying relatively low wages, have been slow to increase salaries. Montana wages have historically been among the lowest in the country, and still rank near the bottom. The silver lining for workers is that wages are now growing at the third-fastest rate among U.S. states.

Now, workers with more options in some places are unwilling to take $12-an-hour jo:unsure:ure:

The problem could get worse as more baby boomers retire, Swanson said. By 2030, Montana and Wyoming are predicted to have among the oldest populations in the U.S., with about 26 percent of residents 65 and older, Swanson said. That compares to 19.7 percent predicted nationally.

"We thought the labor force crunch wouldn't come until 2012, but it's already arrived in a lot of these fast-growth areas," Swanson said. As a result, "you'll find older workers working longer, people will sort of linger in the work force. The employers will make it worth their time to."

full article

[qdave]

bring in some immigrants. problem solved :|

[L3thal Veteran]

No one wants to go live in Idaho or Montana. Hell, even if they paid me a good amount I wouldn't go unless it was Boise, Idaho. I've heard its a nice city and about the only one there that people mention.

[Hum]

^ I'd like a vacation ranch in Montana .... wouldn't want to winter there tho. :laugh:

[Erp.]

gee, people actually want a living wage, when a decent apartment is a $1000+ utilties a month, gas is $3 a gallon and the govt takes 40% of your paycheck in taxes. Go figure. I'd rather live in a homeless shelter or prison than work for $10/hr, I'd have to work 20 hours overtime every week to pay my bills, screw that. I wouldnt get out of bed for less than $20/hr cus I'd still end up on the street.

[Edrick Smith]

God forbid they have to compete to get employees! Holy Smokes! Actually having to pay non ****ty wages! What is the world coming to! God damn these slaves! I mean US Residents we're trying to force to work like slaves!

[hymneforthedead]

:D Time to call in the Green Carders.

they'll do it for 7.00 an hour.

[tao muon]

I think you've all just proven the whole argument about government being too involved in taking things from people- taxes and all.

Raise the minimum wage- employers have to charge more for products: people won't buy them.

Raise taxes- employees can't afford to live anywhere near where they work and can't afford to commute.

:sigh:

But remember:

Support the Democrat Party! The Democrat's will Tax corporations and raise the minimum wage.

... and make sure that you're paid well enough to become indentured servants and committed Democrats for the rest of your lives so you know you situation will always get better... or at least not change.

Edited August 26, 2007 by tao muon

[Hum]

I want that 10 dollar-an-hour McDonald's job ! :D

[ShaneSparky_YYZ]

In Alberta, Canada they pay people at the doughnut shops (Tim Hortons) $20/hr which is about 2x more than where I live.

I know many people who moved there b/c they're making more there than here.. lol

They're desperate for workers apparently.

(and yes I know the article is about the US but just wanted to mention the above :p )