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1 big thing

The effects of the worker shortage

1 big thing

Axios

News

4.02K Ratings

🗓️ 24 June 2021

⏱️ 10 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This morning we’re bringing you the stories of how a labor shortage is affecting two industries: airlines and small, long-standing businesses. Plus, President Biden’s executive orders on gun violence. And, Ibram X. Kendi on voting rights. Guests: Axios' Joann Muller, Emma Way and Marisa Fernandez and How to Be an Antiracist's Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. Go deeper: American Airlines cuts hundreds of flights amid demand surge Iconic Price’s Chicken Coop is closing Biden administration to launch drive tackling gun violence spike Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Alex met Sam at nursery. They were first loves. They built forts together, shared sandwiches in high school and were each other's first kiss.

0:12.0

They were the dream couple until Sam got into EDM music.

0:18.0

While Alex enjoyed folk, first loves are kind of like your current account. If they aren't working for you anymore,

0:26.5

maybe it's time to switch with the current account switch service.

0:33.5

Good morning. Welcome to Axios today. It's Thursday, June 24th. I'm Nyla Boudou.

0:39.5

Here's what you need to know today. President Biden's executive orders on gun violence.

0:44.5

Plus, Ibrahim X. Kendi on voting rights. But first, today's one big thing. What a lack of workers means for businesses we rely on.

0:57.5

This morning, we're bringing you the stories of how a labor shortage is affecting two industries.

1:02.5

Let's start with airlines. Travelers are making their way back to airports in droves.

1:07.5

Just this past Sunday, the TSA said they screened more than two million people, the highest number since March 2020.

1:14.5

But are the airlines ready? Joanne Mueller is Axios' transportation correspondent and is here with the latest on this slice of the labor shortage. Good morning, Joanne.

1:22.5

Good morning, Nyla.

1:24.5

One example of this is American Airlines, which we heard them say recently they're canceling hundreds of flights. Is this all because they don't have enough workers?

1:33.5

Right. They have a shortage of pilots and other associated jobs. And this really goes back to the furloughs that occurred back in October of 2020.

1:46.5

The industry is going through some growing pains right now because it's rebounded much faster than anyone could have thought.

1:53.5

On the other hand, we need to remember that this is only about 1% of American airlines is overall flight schedule.

2:02.5

And they've been pretty proactive in addressing this so that hopefully people are not seeing delays on the day of travel. They're being re-booked before then.

2:13.5

And this isn't just American Airlines though when we're talking, for example, about the pilot shortage. That's happening across the industry. How are airlines trying to solve this?

2:23.5

Well, that's true. Delta has said they're going to hire about 1,000 pilots between now and next summer. United Airlines is also hiring more pilots.

2:34.5

And they've created a new airline academy. They're going to try to recruit 5,000 pilots between now and 2030.

2:43.5

But what's interesting is they're working hard to make sure that half of those pilots are either women or people of color.

2:51.5

So you mentioned with American Airlines, for example, just less than 1% of flights. What should travelers expect this summer?

...

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