Curley compares working as a Washington State Ferry deckhand to plumbing
Dec 2, 2015, 4:27 PM | Updated: Dec 3, 2015, 9:08 am
The Seattle Times reports that normal turnover, an aging workforce and slight staffing increases have created 60 job openings with the Washington State Ferries. (Stephanie Klein)
(Stephanie Klein)
The Washington State Ferries are looking to hire 60 new deckhands at a decent wage, with a chance to move up in ranks within 10 years. But KIRO Radio’s John Curley doubts those positions will be filled easily, as people would rather accumulate unemployment than jump aboard.
The Seattle Times reports that normal turnover, an aging workforce and slight staffing increases have created the job openings for next year. Pay for an ordinary seaman starts at $22.67 per hour and bumps to $46.78 per hour for captains, according to The Times.
Rising from the entry-level position to the more than $97,000 a year position as captain can take six years, though 10 years is more realistic, The Times reports. Early on, the positions are on call, with grueling and seasonal schedules, but Capt. Mike Schilling told The Times it is “a great career path.”
“You’re not going to get rich, but you’re not going to be poor,” he told The Times.
Curley said there aren’t enough people who want those types of jobs, similar to the lucrative but messy world of plumbing.
“Nobody wants to work with their hands or work on a boat,” he said.
Co-host Tom Tangney disagreed, saying these are the perfect kinds of jobs for the many college graduates who are struggling to find employment.
John Curley: Problem is they’re making unemployment, if you make unemployment you can sit at home and the government pays you $14 an hour to sit on your butt and the ferry people come along and offer you $20. You’re making $6 more.
Tom Tangney: I find that hard to believe that there would be able-bodied people that are sitting there and wouldn’t take jobs.
JC: … It’s not enough and that’s the reality. That’s why people don’t take those jobs.
TT: I think that’s not the case and $6 (more) with the prospect of getting twice that within six to 10 years…
JC: People don’t think that way.
TT: I think they do, they need to have a career path.
JC: I would love for you to spend one year of your life in the real world.
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Tune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 3pm for John Curley and Shari Elliker.
