Not Logged In Log In   Sign Up   Points Leaders
Follow Us    2:04 PM

GasBuddy News Article

25
votes
Oil boom leeches away workers in small towns

Enid News -- WOODWARD, Okla. — The local prison is so short on guards that inmates can sometimes just walk away. A gas station barely has enough cashiers to keep up with the trucks filling the parking lot. And “help wanted” signs seem to hang from every restaurant and shop.

Yet almost no one is interested in the jobs.

This is the flip side of the nation’s oil and natural gas boom. Although the expansion of drilling has breathed economic life into many small Oklahoma towns, the lucrative opportunities also are drawing people away from traditional service-sector jobs and even once-coveted state positions.

The result: Many businesses and government agencies now struggle to find enough workers. Most able-bodied people can double or triple their income in the oil patch.



Read the Full Article

Submitted Aug 14, 2012 By: aservant
Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics Add to favorite topics  
Author Topic: Oil boom leeches away workers in small towns Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
Profile Pic
investmentdr
Champion Author Cleveland

Posts:4,014
Points:1,452,125
Joined:Sep 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 8:53:25 AM

like all the oil gushers are in Manhattan
Profile Pic
drpepperTX
Champion Author Texas

Posts:8,929
Points:749,935
Joined:Apr 2011
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 7:33:31 AM

Entitlement society plain and simple. Sad.
Profile Pic
memo81
Champion Author St. Louis

Posts:2,333
Points:441,575
Joined:Feb 2012
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 7:25:11 AM

Interesting.
Profile Pic
johntxx
Champion Author Texas

Posts:2,766
Points:613,395
Joined:Aug 2011
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 7:25:09 AM

From article:
"The statewide unemployment rate is the fourth lowest in the nation, at 4.7 percent, and more than 6,200 jobs have been added in the mining sector since last year, according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission."

Why is there still unemployment if companies and the state can't find enough workers--too good to work? Cut off the handouts and put people to work.

“The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.” —Judge Judy



[Edited by: johntxx at 8/14/2012 8:28:03 AM EST]
Profile Pic
Blismo
Champion Author Arizona

Posts:2,124
Points:401,310
Joined:Feb 2012
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 7:13:50 AM

ok
Profile Pic
JamesCalvin
Champion Author Lancaster

Posts:3,176
Points:516,755
Joined:Nov 2011
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 6:59:44 AM

Ouch!
Profile Pic
gs7101
Champion Author San Antonio

Posts:5,508
Points:387,245
Joined:Jun 2009
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 6:34:21 AM

I can't blame them -- get paid while you can!
Profile Pic
Evilmaddog
Champion Author British Columbia

Posts:3,307
Points:954,625
Joined:Aug 2010
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 6:32:01 AM

good for them
Profile Pic
rcornero
Sophomore Author Toms River

Posts:225
Points:367,560
Joined:Mar 2011
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 6:17:05 AM

Supply and demand, baby!
Profile Pic
MImusicman
Champion Author Michigan

Posts:1,858
Points:404,750
Joined:Mar 2012
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 6:13:24 AM

Good for them.
Profile Pic
58salty
Champion Author Jacksonville

Posts:6,594
Points:626,865
Joined:Aug 2011
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 6:11:35 AM

OK
Profile Pic
Agarre
Champion Author Richmond

Posts:1,335
Points:263,785
Joined:Feb 2012
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 6:00:56 AM

Indeed
Profile Pic
grandpadon28110
Champion Author Charlotte

Posts:4,701
Points:1,139,385
Joined:Sep 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 6:00:18 AM

So.
Profile Pic
ReddevilNO
Champion Author New Orleans

Posts:3,355
Points:578,640
Joined:Aug 2011
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 5:43:43 AM

Ok.
Profile Pic
cdrrod
Champion Author Wisconsin

Posts:4,139
Points:780,850
Joined:Feb 2006
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 5:28:15 AM

Don't think I want to visit down there! Don't pick up hitchhikers!!!
Profile Pic
wegman
Champion Author Twin Cities

Posts:7,794
Points:2,085,665
Joined:Jun 2001
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:45:26 AM

Good, high pay jobs are a BAD thing?

Profile Pic
jcdakota
Champion Author Baltimore

Posts:1,347
Points:361,345
Joined:Nov 2010
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:31:24 AM

Local economies can't compete with flash in the pan big oil jobs. Hasn't big oil caused enough problems?
Profile Pic
otherdave
Champion Author Indiana

Posts:3,378
Points:1,266,235
Joined:Oct 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:27:59 AM

Gotta go where the money's at.
Profile Pic
twobroke61
Champion Author Michigan

Posts:8,365
Points:1,586,035
Joined:Sep 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:21:50 AM

chuckwthompson said it right
Profile Pic
defiancegasman
Champion Author Ohio

Posts:7,075
Points:1,322,185
Joined:May 2006
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:21:50 AM

Try paying above minimum wages. As far as taking people off of welfare, they would still qualified if thy had 1 child at the wages being offered!!

Or did all you REPUBLICANS forget that SUPPLY and DEMAND for workers too! More than the OVERPAID CEO's need to be paid more to do the job when there is a shortage of people to do it!!
Profile Pic
nurdco
Champion Author Colorado Springs

Posts:9,212
Points:1,691,485
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:19:26 AM

With those driller jobs come health issues
Profile Pic
gmcgas
Champion Author Atlanta

Posts:5,937
Points:1,711,145
Joined:Mar 2004
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:19:18 AM

hummmmmmm $11. a hour for $20.00 hr? hummmm wonder what the problem is?
Profile Pic
leeso1
Champion Author San Diego

Posts:7,596
Points:1,370,175
Joined:May 2009
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:18:22 AM

maybe they should offer higher pay
Profile Pic
ticouneON
Champion Author Ontario

Posts:1,608
Points:941,075
Joined:Jul 2010
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:15:09 AM

Ok
Profile Pic
albyneau
Sophomore Author California

Posts:249
Points:116,040
Joined:Jul 2012
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:10:03 AM

DITTO chuckwthompson's POST!!!!
Profile Pic
firasatali
Champion Author Toronto

Posts:3,085
Points:566,625
Joined:May 2011
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 3:07:14 AM

ok
Profile Pic
Happytalk
Champion Author Pennsylvania

Posts:2,120
Points:574,190
Joined:May 2010
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:57:55 AM

ok now what
Profile Pic
chuckwthompson
Champion Author Charlotte

Posts:3,740
Points:574,260
Joined:Sep 2011
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:57:41 AM

Fill the positions with the people on unemployment and welfare. If they refuse, then cut off their payments.
Profile Pic
Z06KY
Champion Author Louisville

Posts:5,129
Points:902,790
Joined:Nov 2010
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:57:26 AM

Bull
Profile Pic
gassy4u
Champion Author Mobile

Posts:3,763
Points:1,326,210
Joined:Sep 2005
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:56:11 AM

Cut off the freeloaders.
Profile Pic
smenzel
Champion Author Seattle

Posts:2,035
Points:1,101,680
Joined:Mar 2007
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:52:45 AM

Interesting
Profile Pic
eddyp94
Champion Author Ontario

Posts:8,163
Points:1,660,835
Joined:Mar 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:52:03 AM

I don't believe everything they say...
Profile Pic
pepinoNC
Champion Author Raleigh

Posts:2,138
Points:655,865
Joined:May 2011
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:49:49 AM

All the prison has to do is increase the pay of the guards and they will get plenty of applicants.
Profile Pic
sehonda
Champion Author Honolulu

Posts:2,028
Points:914,060
Joined:May 2009
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:49:08 AM

menial openings
Profile Pic
LVNV6ofSpades
Champion Author Las Vegas

Posts:1,624
Points:362,260
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:48:30 AM

Eliminate liberal welfare and put them to work.
Profile Pic
bbigred
Veteran Author Lansing

Posts:424
Points:296,615
Joined:May 2006
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:47:54 AM

They to pay the workers more.
Profile Pic
Gasazhunter
Champion Author Phoenix

Posts:4,195
Points:1,024,795
Joined:May 2010
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:47:21 AM

Sad.
Profile Pic
kosciak
Champion Author Hartford

Posts:1,106
Points:531,275
Joined:Aug 2011
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:43:41 AM

ok
Profile Pic
Saturn93
Champion Author Salt Lake City

Posts:7,292
Points:1,640,885
Joined:Oct 2006
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:42:31 AM

Boom or Bust.
Profile Pic
Rans35PG
Champion Author Modesto

Posts:2,470
Points:994,000
Joined:Oct 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:38:41 AM

offer a job they will come
Profile Pic
SteveMartin
Champion Author New Orleans

Posts:4,413
Points:882,490
Joined:May 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:37:15 AM

Too much money problem.
Profile Pic
lgwhitlock
Champion Author Chico

Posts:7,370
Points:1,682,570
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:31:13 AM

However I wonder how long those oil jobs will last. I guess work while you can and save up before the jobs run out...
Profile Pic
NavyEOD
Champion Author Los Angeles

Posts:9,986
Points:2,017,150
Joined:Jul 2007
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:26:45 AM

Go where the moneys at...
Profile Pic
Scoutca
All-Star Author Orange County

Posts:525
Points:1,584,560
Joined:May 2004
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:25:26 AM

Eventually the word will get out and people will come to take those jobs which are better than no jobs other places they may be living???
Brings an interesting perspective to employment issues???
Profile Pic
sdchris
Champion Author San Diego

Posts:2,541
Points:735,675
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:23:42 AM

ok
Profile Pic
wshutton
Champion Author Los Angeles

Posts:1,657
Points:922,245
Joined:Mar 2009
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:15:41 AM

They never say anything about paying those workers more. Nor offering benefits.
Profile Pic
NO_SWEAT
Champion Author Toronto

Posts:4,330
Points:1,076,390
Joined:Jul 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:14:18 AM

Ok
Profile Pic
Pozole
Champion Author Portland

Posts:9,579
Points:1,591,595
Joined:Mar 2005
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:14:17 AM

...yep, bucks in the oil fields if you want to be around those chemicals and foul atmosphere...
Profile Pic
flyfast
Champion Author Kansas City

Posts:9,233
Points:1,822,035
Joined:Jan 2008
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:11:50 AM

need to be paying more to kept them
Profile Pic
findcheap
Champion Author Los Angeles

Posts:9,582
Points:2,006,950
Joined:Apr 2007
Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 2:11:36 AM

Ok
Post a reply Back to Topics