McDonald’s hiring thousands of workers across Southern California

McDonald’s is looking to hire thousands of Southern California workers as it gears up for the busy summer season, but filling those slots amid the current labor shortage might be tough.

The fast-food chain will hold a Drive-Up Hiring Day on Tuesday, May 17 where applicants can drive up to one of more than 200 McDonald’s locations and get an interview on the spot. Job seekers can stay in their vehicles or sit in designated areas for the interviews.

The company needs to fill a variety of part-time and full-time positions, and employment with the company comes with perks.

A McDonald’s manager and job applicant are seen here at a previous hiring event in Southern California. (Photo courtesy of McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Southern California)

But filling all of those openings? That might be easier said than done, according to economist Robert Kleinhenz.

“There’s a labor shortage going on, and not just in the entry-level range but elsewhere as well,” he said. “We’re in a tight labor market with lowest unemployment rate we’ve seen in 50 years. And when you look at the pool of people who would fill those jobs — people ages 16 to 24 — that pool is relatively small.”

Jot Condie, president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association, said some restaurants are facing a tougher time than others as a result of the labor shortage.

“It’s not uncommon to see some of these mom-and-pop restaurants closing on a weekday because they can’t meet the high demand,” he said. “That probably won’t happen with McDonald’s because they’ve got it down to a science — but their lines are still long.”

Kleinhenz said the slim labor pool means McDonald’s will likely have to work its way up the age ladder for new employees and that means paying them more. Still, some factors play in the company’s favor.

“The economy is actually doing well right now,” he said. “But inflation is high and there is the possibility of a recession on the horizon. Some people are probably thinking, ‘Jeez, if I can get a job right now, I’ll take it.’ “

Wages

Pay levels for fast-food workers have come under heavy scrutiny in the past decade. Pro-labor policymakers and advocacy groups like Fight for 15, which argues for a $15-an-hour minimum wage, have pressured restaurant chains to boost wages.

Postings for McDonald’s “crew team members” in such cities as Ontario, La Verne, Buena Park and West Covina list an hourly wage of $16, while openings for “closing crew team memebers” pay $16 to $17 an hour.

The pay for assistant general managers and various other positions is not listed. California’s current minimum wage is $15 an hour for large companies with more than 26 employees.

McDonald’s employees can take advantage of education benefits to earn a high school diploma or take ESL classes. They can also receive tuition assistance and free educational and career guidance from through Archways to Opportunity, the company’s signature education and career-advising program.

Seventy-eight percent of restaurant operators said recruiting and retaining employees was their top challenge, according …read more

Source:: Los Angeles Daily News

(Visited 5 times, 1 visits today)

USA News Posts - Related Posts:

Here’s what restaurant chains are offering for Mother’s Day 2022 From salmon Benedict and quiche to chili dogs, Southern California restaurant chains have special menu items and deals to mark Mother’s Day on May 8. Here is a sampling of what’s out there. Black Bear Diner: A Mother’s Day menu will be available Friday through Sunday with strawberry pancakes, prime rib, salmon Benedict and grilled salmon. blackbeardiner.com Cheesecake Factory: Through May 8, anyone who purchases a $50 gift card online will receive a $10 bonus card, redeemable from May 9…
UCLA gymnastics hires Janelle McDonald as new head coach Three weeks after the position came open, UCLA has already found the new leader for its decorated gymnastics program. Former Cal assistant coach Janelle McDonald, who holds two decades of coaching experience, has been named the Bruins’ new head coach. “Janelle has been exemplary at connecting with and developing young people at every level of her coaching career,” UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said in a statement. “Her enthusiasm and energy is contagious. She understands and respects the Bruin legacy…
Soaring prices force families to turn to food banks as inflation also hurting food pantries A truck filled with groceries brought a sigh of relief for the Franquiz family Saturday morning. “I’m a lung transplant patient and my medical bills are through the roof,” Rita Franquiz said. “My whole paycheck goes to health insurance.” Farm Share hosted a food distribution event at The Truth Church in Sandalwood on Saturday and Rita and Tony Franquiz were among those in line for fresh produce and other necessities. “Have you ever heard of working poor? That is us.…
US added 428,000 jobs in April despite surging inflation By PAUL WISEMAN WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers added 428,000 jobs in April, extending a streak of solid hiring that has defied punishing inflation, chronic supply shortages, the Russian war against Ukraine and much higher borrowing costs. Friday’s jobs report from the Labor Department showed that last month’s hiring kept the unemployment rate at 3.6%, just above the lowest level in a half-century. The economy’s hiring gains have been remarkably consistent in the face of the worst inflation in four…
Facebook parent company Meta announces plans to slow hiring By Clare Duffy, CNN Business (CNN) — Meta said Thursday it is cutting back on hiring. The move is one of several shifts the Facebook parent company is making following a period of slower-than-usual growth. “We regularly re-evaluate our talent pipeline according to our business needs and in light of the expense guidance given for this earnings period, we are slowing its growth accordingly,” said a statement provided by Meta spokesperson Andrea Beasley. The company still plans to “grow our…
US added 428,000 jobs in April despite surging inflation America’s employers added 428,000 jobs in April, extending a streak of solid hiring that has defied punishing inflation, chronic supply shortages, the Russian war against Ukraine and much higher borrowing costs. Friday’s jobs report from the Labor Department showed that last month’s hiring kept the unemployment rate at 3.6%, just above the lowest level in a half-century. The economy’s hiring gains have been remarkably consistent in the face of the worst inflation in four decades. Employers have added at least…
LA County workers vote to authorize strike Some 55,000 Los Angeles County workers have voted overwhelmingly to authorize an unfair labor practice strike as they seek cost-of-living raises, continued full healthcare coverage and an end to job outsourcing. The workers, represented by Service Employees International Union Local 721, range from nurses, medical staff and social service employees, to custodians and others employed through the county’s Parks & Recreation Department, the county library system and those working as non-sworn Sheriff’s Department employees. In announcing the results Friday, May…
Labor agency: Amazon union's meeting complaints have merit The National Labor Relations Board has found merit in a union charge that Amazon violated labor law in New York City’s Staten Island by holding mandatory worker meetings to persuade its employees not to unionize. The labor board has in the past allowed employees to mandate such meetings, which are routinely held at companies like Amazon and Starbucks during union drives. But in a memo sent to the agency’s field offices last month, NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo said she…
California prepares for energy shortfalls in hot, dry summer By Kathleen Ronayne | Associated Press SACRAMENTO — California likely will have an energy shortfall equivalent to what it takes to power about 1.3 million homes when use is at its peak during the hot and dry summer months, state officials said Friday. Threats from drought, extreme heat and wildfires, plus supply chain and regulatory issues hampering the solar industry will create challenges for energy reliability this summer, the officials said. They represented the California Public Utilities Commission, the California…
Smooth contract talks expected by employer group at Port of LA, Long Beach Upcoming contract negotiations between dockworkers and management will benefit from more than two years of cooperation to keep cargo moving during the pandemic, the head of the Pacific Maritime Association said Friday, May 6. Jim McKenna, president and CEO of the PMA since 2004, made those remarks during a virtual news conference hosted by the Port of Los Angeles — just days before labor talks begin. “From a general perspective, I think the relationship between the two sides is very…