SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)– Syracuse is lacking snowplow drivers and the Mayor’s office wants to incentivize people to be snowplow drivers. If there aren’t enough snowplow drivers it could potentially cause an issue when winter comes around.
Syracuse is looking to hire 15 new snowplow drivers and are trying to provide incentives for people to be snowplow drivers. The Mayor’s Chief Operating Officer Corey Driscoll Dunham is hoping that the 15 snow plow driving vacancies can be filled .
“Whether or not we’re going to be able to fill all 15 by the first snowfalls we’ll wait and see,” said Dunham. “But we’re doing everything we can reaching out to as many resources as we can to get candidates in the door.”
If the vacancies aren’t filled, then it could cause a huge problem when winter comes around.
“Snowing and plowing snow is not just a convenience so that folks can get around,” said Dunham. “It’s really an issue of safety we really want to be in the best position we can to make the roads safe for people to travel.”
The Mayor’s office is talking with the local union Local 400 to discuss incentives in order to get more snowplow drivers.
“I mean right now it’s really just potential it’s a conversation we’re having with our union leaders is there anything we could offer,” said Dunham. “Right now we offer a it’s called a night shift differential so that you pay people a little if they’re willing to work overnights.”
Syracuse Resident Martin Melbrod, who applied to be a snowplow driver, wants snowplow driving to be an all year-round job.
“Making them deal team employees all year round,” said Melbrod. “Instead of seasonal would be more of an incentive to get these kids or younger men and women into the driving positions.”
When Melbrod applied to be a snowplow driver, he said the salary was $17 per hour. Melbrod thinks the salary also needs to be higher to get more snow plow drivers.
