A classic solution to so-called worker shortages: offer higher pay. That would probably convince workers to invest in acquiring coveted skills and enter the manufacturing workforce.

Which is one reason why Oren Cass, the chief economist and founder of American Compass, a conservative think tank, says he’s skeptical whenever employers complain about worker shortages.

" I have less than zero sympathy for employers who go around complaining about labor shortages and skills gaps," Cass says. He joked that he has a side hustle, running an “incredibly innovative” biotech firm. “It employs leading scientists at $10 an hour to develop extraordinary cures. I have 500,000 job openings as well, and I have not been able to fill one of them.”

No notes.

  • Che Banana@beehaw.org
    26·
    20 hours ago

    Anecdote: Back when I was learning my trade after I graduated I made less than a McDonald’s employee (7.50/hr, FL, 1995).

    However, I made enough overtime to purchase a duplex 1 street off the beach with my friend from culinary school (80k for 3br 1 ba up, 3br 1 ba down).

    Can you tell me how many entry level employees can do this now???

    Overtime? Fuck you, work 3 jobs at straight pay and kill yourself for the company… fucking Horse shit and I make sure the people my age who bitch about this generation ‘who doesn’t want to work’ fucking know it.

    • Pete Hahnloser@beehaw.orgOPMEnglish
      13·
      19 hours ago

      Can you tell me how many entry level employees can do this now???

      Yeah. Zero. Same with mid-career people who didn’t buy way earlier. Wages just don’t keep up with housing costs.

  • echo@lemmings.world
    18·
    19 hours ago

    We want people to work jobs that will literally break their body with no health-care, no time off, and not enough pay to buy/rent someplace to live. Who the fuck doesn’t understand this?

  • Dagwood222@lemm.ee
    14·
    20 hours ago

    Would our aging rail lines be able to handle the freight?

    Most of the old factories in my area have either been torn down, repurposed, or are unfit. Who is going to pay to rehab them?

    So many questions and zero answers.