EDITOR:

Anybody who runs a company or anyone who hasn’t been under a rock for 18 months knows that there is a desperate shortage of workers across the country. The state and federal government provided additional benefits because of the “pandemic.” I did not apply for the extra benefits. I was told that if you knew how to work the system, you could bring in about $18,000 a year. A couple could make $36,000 and not work. So, why would some people even want to consider working?

Gov. Whitmer and President Biden say they do not believe that the extra benefits are the reason so many companies can’t find employees. What else could be the cause?

Let’s just look at the local situation. Think of the companies that have closed, or altered their hours because they don’t have enough employees. Hereford and Hopps, Crispignia’s, Ferdinand’s, Pacino’s, Hudson’s, Drifter’s, all of the fast food lobbies, McDonald’s, Culver’s lobby open one day, closed the next, Walmart, Meijers, Delona, Sleepy Hollow Motel, and Thai Inn, to name a couple. In February of 2020, all of these places were fully open, fully staffed. Where did those workers go? They didn’t move because it is like this everywhere.

School starts. Colleges are full so that will bring a few more workers in communities that have colleges.I hear the numbers that the government puts out as far as jobs created and unemployment numbers. Until I see companies like Loadmaster, Grede Foundry, etc., fully staffed, I refuse to accept that there is anybody that wants a job can’t find one. Menards, Walmart, Meijer, are all understaffed. The reason why the fast food lobbies are closed is the lack of workers. Drifters closes at 3 p.m. Please Gov. Whitmer and President Biden, tell me where those workers went.

Tom Grant

Escanaba