It's not the workers, but the wages.

by Lewis Loflin

Printed Kingsport Times-News May 3, 2004

The following is a response to two news articles printed in the Kingsport Time-News:

• Businesses want job candidates already trained and ready for work
• Survey: Region at risk due to critical skills gap Bunk

I wish to express my concern about the report "The Skills Gap in Our Region," a copy of which I obtained from Dr. Tarnoff. The sponsor of the research is Eastman Chemical and some biased government agencies protecting their jobs. Of 2,000 surveys, they got only 118 responses or three percent. Of 40,795 employees mentioned, almost 20 percent are from Eastman, and well over half are in 24 firms. Page 31 points out why these companies have the employee problems they whine about. While the survey did inquire about using abusive temp agencies, they failed to factor in subcontractors, many operating as temp agencies mixing in lower pay, no benefit employees off the company books. This often creates low worker morale and management problems.

When asked about pay issues, they answered "going rate," which here is among the lowest in the nation and why ING Investments ranks the Tri-Cities as one of the worst places to earn a living. The report indicates the available qualified labor pool is limited by the refusal of firms to pay better wages. They refuse to even train anyone as the Times-News correctly pointed out.

The report reveals there's no real skills gap or labor shortage, but a severe wage gap. They want better-trained, minimum wage workers that won't relocate. Most skills and vocational training being taught in local colleges are a waste of time. I commend County Commissioner Jack Sitgreaves for pointing out what happens to our college graduates.

Before we trash our workforce, let's get the facts. It's time to consider the abusive labor tactics and mismanagement at local businesses that no amount of cheap labor and more useless education will ever fix.

Lewis Loflin
Bristol, Va.

Why air dirty laundry?

The two articles in the Sunday edition (March 28) about the area's workforce shortcomings answered a lot of troubling questions for me. An 18-month study by Dr. Karen Tarnoff in the ETSU management school has apparently revealed that area workers are poorly educated and lacking skills.

Not only that, but we're also unmotivated, unethical, undependable and disloyal, or at least that seems to be the opinion of the 118 local companies who participated in the survey.

No wonder I can't get a job. I'd start my own business, but would probably have to fire myself if the survey profile of me is accurate. You have to wonder, if our laundry is that dirty, how do we benefit by airing it publicly? Who benefits, and how?

Let's role-play a minute. If you're the decision maker for a company looking at possible new sites for an expansion, would a newspaper article like this make you want to locate here?

If you're the hiring manager of an established local company, competing with other companies for workers, would you want the survey to encourage other companies to relocate here? Just wondering.

Bruce Haney
Kingsport

Editor's note: The study is valuable in revealing a problem that needs to be addressed to advance economic development. The first step to resolving a problem is identifying it.

Copyright March 5,2004
Kingsport Publishing Corporation.

Invest in schools

Re. the survey of the Tri-Cities workforce, I think it all goes back to what is being taught at home and at school. The people in the Tri-Cities area need to understand that the values of working hard and being proud of the finished product aren't being taught to the younger generation.

If we don't get the funding for our schools to stay open and so our teachers have good pay, we are losing the one tool we have in this area to teach our students good values. We need to start at the elementary age, making sure students know they have to meet deadlines even if it's just turning in homework or doing a home chore. We also have to pay our teachers good pay to stay in this area.

The Tennessee Lotto is supposed to help with funding scholarships for education, but it seems it is all earmarked for college-age students. We need funding for secondary schools or there isn't going to be anyone with enough education to go to college.

Parents need to stand up for our children and make sure they are getting the best education. We need to make sure that we vote for leaders who are making the right decisions for our children's future.

Our children are the future leaders that may be making the decisions about our care when we get older, so we need to bring up good, responsible children. I agree with the survey and the professor at ETSU that we need to put more into the people in this area, starting at kindergarten age. I hope county commissioners and the school board do the right thing by our students.

Mary F. Banks
Kingsport

Copyright March 2, 2004 Kingsport Publishing Corporation.

• A Town's Future Is Leaving the Country: Travelocity and Dickenson County
• It's not the workers, but the wages: a response to the press
• Businesses want job candidates already trained and ready for work, but refuse to pay for it.
• Survey: Region at risk due to critical skills gap Bunk
• Sitgreaves: 'Burger' comment aimed at lack of white-collar jobs in Tri-Cities
• Tenn. high schools leave many students behind
• Tennessee's students still not making the grade
• Students' knowledge of civics, history appalling
• Snakebite kills preacher: Should snake handlers be subject to prosecution?