Additionally, in some cases employers who were offering new workers minimum wage are offering higher pay. Michael Cooney is president of the Fall River-based Employment U.S.A., one of five employment agencies he operates throughout the state. Everything is Windows or Lotus. Mr. Cooney said he hasn't seen a corresponding boom in manufacturing employment. When I started in Fall River, back in 1988, unemployment was really low and companies were having difficulty finding people.
Companies now have a planned use for temporary help mixed in with permanent workers.
In other words, if a company realizes it has seasonal needs, they will add a certain number of temps knowing these jobs will end in November or December, rather than hiring permanent workers and laying them off. Like Ms. Silva, he's also seen manufacturers use temporary workers in order to make sure the employee has the necessary skills before they're hired on full-time. They'll hire them to work for three months. If they work out well, they'll hire them permanently. It's an opportunity to see their work performance and it helps the company to save time recruiting.