A shortage of workers is greatly impacting the amount of parish projects that are completed on time. That’s why Sam Scholle, director of the parish’s public works and wastewater department, along with Parish President V.J. St.
Pierre, is working on a plan to recruit 22 laborers. They’re hoping those new workers will stay for the long haul.
And they may have to turn to the other side of the law to find them.
“Parish general laborers aren’t paid very much, so it’s difficult to keep them employed here,” Scholle said. “Right now, we’re looking at hiring 22 laborers.”
Entry-level parish laborers earn $7.65 an hour, according to the St. Charles Parish personnel department.
Because it’s hard to attract workers with that low wage, the parish is having to get creative.
“I know one of the things we’ve considered is giving people who have had minor brushes with the law a second chance,” Scholle said. “We’d like to help those that want to help themselves.”
Scholle says he will work with parish administrators and various jail ministries to identify inmates that can help the parish fill its labor needs. However, that won’t happen overnight.
“We would only consider those individuals who have had minor problems and incidents with the law,” he said. “We live in a wonderful parish, where everyone deserves a second chance, and we do need the workers.”
Scholle says there’s a lot of competition in the parish right now and the youngest recruits aren’t staying and retiring with the parish like workers used to.
“Plant workers are earning almost three times the salary that we’re paying these laborers,” he said. “So it’s difficult trying to make them stay on board.”
Not only are industry jobs paying much more, but even fast food establishments are able to outbid the parish for workers.
“We’re competing with fast food chains and the plants,” Scholle said. “Those are great paying jobs, so it’s tough to convince someone to stick around the parish when they can make more money elsewhere.”
The Civil Service System is responsible for regulating wages, but St. Pierre hopes to revise those rules and regulations regarding pay scales.
“We don’t control the wages in the parish, but the laborers do have good health insurance packages,” Scholle said. “I believe their pay should be increased, because it’s tough trying to support a family with that amount of money.”
“Some of those plant laborers earn $80,000 a year, including overtime, with only a G.E.D as their education,” he said. “There’s really no way to compete with that.”
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