When news hit in January that Maine was short nearly 100 snow-plow drivers, so many applications came pouring in that the state transportation department was able to fill its quota – except in booming southern Maine. There, despite full benefits and average pay of about $18.50 an hour, the state is still short 10 drivers.
“As the economy improves and people’s opportunities increase, it becomes much more of a struggle to retain good workers,” says the department’s spokesman, Ted Talbot.
In Delaware, the problem is too few prison guards. After months of warnings about the consequences of an acute shortage of guards, this situation turned tragic. In February, inmates temporarily wrested control of part of a large prison and took hostages; one guard was killed.
Now, 16 correctional officers are reportedly leaving as are nearly 30 medical personnel at the prison, forcing the state to scramble to raise salaries and attract new workers for the site.
Read the full story from the Christian Science Monitor: “Help wanted: Workers finally benefit as labor shortage expands.”
