States in the U. S. are reportedly having difficulty hiring people for the lower-paying job of clearing snow from the roadways. The job requires an applicant to have a Commercial Driver’s License and can require working all hours of the day and night in slippery road conditions.
“We want the traveling public to understand why it could take longer this season to clear highways during winter storms,” said Jon Swartz, the maintenance administrator for the Montana Department of Transportation, which is short about 90 drivers. “Knowing this helps motorists to plan ahead and adjust or even delay travel plans,” he said in an AP news report.
Major storms are expected to hit some areas soon. State transportation officials say the record low unemployment rate, aging workforce and increased demand for diesel mechanics and CDL drivers in other industries are contributing to the shortage.