On the Road with Mike Murchison

Hard work! Hard physical work. Long hours behind the wheel. Long hot and freezing hours on my knees, unloading product that has solidified, jammed or just wont flow.

I’ve worked hard. Still am working. My brother worked long hard hours in the cold, the heat and wind.

We were built that way. You start a job. You finish it. Regardless the difficulty. Sometimes you swear. Throw things. Wonder if you’re plain stupid or just crazy for doing it because you got suckered into it.

Regardless. You’re there now. Got to see the job through until its finished.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’ve travelled from one end of this country to the other and talked to many people from many walks of life, countries, ethic, and cultural backgrounds.

Rich, poor, middle class and those on the fringe of whatever edge they’re on. And one thing I I’ve learned is this: this is God’s Country.

Jammin’ gears, serving fries, diggin’ ditches. Whether folks are inputting numbers, selling products, or studying in the halls of our institutes of learning.

Can’t find anybody to work. Or no one wants to work anymore. It’s a common thread. Not just where I live, but seemingly every place I travel.

I cover Alberta and the Northwest US states, and this discussion has crossed my table a lot. Employers can’t find anyone to work.

 I’m sure there are a variant of factors involved. The wage that’s being offered, the hours as well as the expectations. Tie that into the cost of living and you might just have a perfect storm brewing.