FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – The state’s automotive and manufacturing industry is struggling to hire and retain workers.
Companies across many sectors work to cater and compete for employee’s needs, paying top dollar wages and increasing benefits for workers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, thousands of workers have left the automotive and manufacturing sectors these last couple months in pursuit of a different career.
ABC12 spoke with Steve Dawes, UAW Region 1D director which includes Flint Assembly.
He said that they have not seen any sort of decline in workers at least in this region.
Paul Muehlenbeck Jr. works at Flint Assembly. He knows the kind of work he does is no walk in the park and that it isn’t for everyone.
“A lot of it is job security. I’ve got time invested. I’ve worked with some really great people. It’s more than just a job, it’s a career,” he said.
Muehlenbeck has poured his heart and soul into GM the last almost 22 years.
He knows there have been a lot of changes in the industry over the years, from wages to hours, benefits, temp versus full time status, but he’s held on because he takes pride in helping to build a quality product.
Others don’t hold on very long at all.
“The work we do here in repetitious and the repetition is what really takes its toll on you, your body. People come in off the streets, new hires find that out fairly quick,” he said.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people employed in the auto manufacturing industry declined by around 3,500 in January across the US. That number dramatically increased to 18,000 jobs for February.
“If there wasn’t other jobs that were so readily available, I think people would be more apt to stick this out. But because there’s an abundant of jobs out there and bonuses out there and what have you, they have more options,” he said.
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