Snowplow drivers: Milwaukee lacks enough qualified drivers for season
MILWAUKEE - The changing of the seasons means sooner or later snow will once again be on the ground. But Milwaukee city leaders are concerned there might not be enough plow drivers to clear the snow.
"That scares the hell out of me, what you guys talked about last time, that we may have trucks and no drivers," said Milwaukee Alderman Robert Bauman.
Alderman Bauman was unsettled on Friday, Oct. 22 over a looming scenario for Milwaukee.
"Two years ago, we had a snowstorm on Halloween if I am not mistaken -- and that’s next week," Bauman said.
Milwaukee Alderman Robert Bauman
This week, Milwaukee city leaders and the Department of Public Works (DPW) discussed a concerning shortage of qualified and licensed salt and snowplow drivers.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
"It’s a problem more than the city of Milwaukee; this is a problem a lot of people are struggling with," said DPW Commissioner Jeff Polenske.
The nationwide labor shortage is affecting positions at all levels – including crucial services.
"We do have a challenge ahead of us," Polenske said.
DPW officials say there are approximately 85 vacant positions. It is a mix of workers who drive plows and those who work on the vehicles.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android
"What’s the plan? Are we looking at salary adjustments? Are we looking at bonuses? Are we looking at what? What? Are we just hoping and praying people just start flooding our application box," Bauman said.
The DPW director of operations said everything is being done to attract qualified candidates. She said there are other plans in place if the worst should happen.
Featured
Frost advisory for SE Wisconsin in effect from 1 a.m.-8 a.m. Saturday
The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for all of southeast Wisconsin to be in effect from 1 a.m. until 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23.
Featured
Dry and cool weather is in the forecast for Halloween 2021
Temperatures close to average with cloudy skies are what southeast Wisconsin will likely see for Halloween this year. Here's a deeper dive into the thinking behind the forecast.