Local businesses express concern as open positions continue to go unfilled

PITTSBURGH — Local businesses express concern as open positions continue to go unfilled

Several business owners in the North Hills told Channel 11 that hiring is worse than ever. Either no one is applying or no one is showing up for their interviews.

Just like a lot of workplaces, Chuck’s Autobody Shop in McCandless is looking to hire qualified employees, but none are applying. Now they’re having to turn away customers because they don’t have enough staff.

“What happens is people come in either have a wrecked car or need a car repaired and we cant schedule them for three or four weeks,” Owner Chuck Eyerman said.

Right next door, The Fade Shop is in desperate need of hairstylists.

The owner shared a job posting on Facebook. So far there’s been 4,500 views but not a single application.

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“With back to school everyone is booking its been super super busy we are trying to accommodate everyone but its super hard,” explained owner Jessica Cardella.

A couple minutes away, Luciano’s restaurant in McCandless permanently closed due to the worker shortage, a family business that’s been around for about 35 years.

“It’s impossible because there’s no workers and they made it a bidding wars with wages. I mean we always paid more for our employees than other restaurants but now its ridiculous cause there’s such a shortage,” owner Ester McLaughlin said.

They told Channel 11 that their Cranberry Township location is barely hanging on.

Over at A-Comfort Services, they’ve been slammed with heating and air conditioning repairs as many folks are spending more time at home due to the pandemic.

Co-owner, Todd Rhule, says they’ve actually been getting applications yet there’s been at least a dozen no-shows for interviews.

“We really think its associated with the unemployment system and their inability to follow through on people’s claims that they are looking for work.”

Right now, employees are working overtime and sometimes weekends. Owners are concerned their workers will get burnt out if they don’t hire soon.

With the extra unemployment benefits ending Saturday, every business owner we spoke with hopes more people will start applying for jobs and start work right away.

Allegheny County officials hopeful children will soon have COVID-19 vaccine option as cases rise