OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma Metropolis is experiencing a critical service trade labor scarcity that was catalyzed by the coronavirus pandemic, and now continues to be fueled by the rising medical marijuana trade.
“It’s not simply servers. It’s cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, entrance of the home employees, again of the home, I imply it’s actually loopy,” stated Vito’s Ristorante proprietor Cathy Cummings.
She is searching for for wait employees, and stated she is much from the one one. The necessity for employees by eating places and bars throughout the metro is worse than she has ever seen.
“Not solely did we take a success throughout COVID, and it was so onerous and so difficult,” Cummings stated, “So, right here’s only one extra impediment that we’re going through proper now.”
Earlier than it was advised, Cummings advised KFOR she believes the issue is due partially to a mass migration to the hashish trade.
“I wouldn’t return to the restaurant trade,” stated Katie Prouty.
She was one in all numerous Oklahomans laid off when quarantine measures shut down the service trade final yr, however she and others who spoke to KFOR agree it was a blessing in disguise.
Prouty transitioned right into a job in hashish, at Timeless Refinery, the place the work is much less demanding, she feels extra appreciated by her employers and she or he has well being advantages.
“I’m so proud of the place I’m at,” stated Darian Dean, one other service trade defector with no plans to return. Dean now works as an extractor at hashish firm, Oil Tycoon. “You may have set hours, you will have a set pay and it simply takes a whole lot of stress off of you as a result of you realize precisely what you’re going to make.”
Each girls agree that the pay scale alone is a significant draw. Most medical marijuana jobs begin employees off at $12 an hour, a far cry from the $2.15 servers make, relying on tricks to make up the remainder.
“There are folks that exit to eat, spend $200 after which suppose that as a result of they simply spent $200 they don’t must tip you in any respect, or they depart you 10 p.c,” Prouty stated, “and that day after day, night time after night time, simply runs you down and it kills your spirit.”
The pandemic has additionally contributed to a rise in disagreeable confrontation with some clients, particularly with regards to imposing social distancing insurance policies.
“They actually acquired the sense of ‘why am I placing up with this for $2.35 an hour’ or regardless of the server wage was, after I can go over right here and make $12 an hour at ta dispensary and get advantages,” stated Stephen Tyler, managing accomplice on the Tower Theatre.
Tyler stated Tower Theatre administration took steps earlier than hiring acquired robust, providing staff $10 an hour earlier than suggestions. Not solely do they wish to be aggressive employers, however he stated it engenders a greater work atmosphere.
“All people’s all the time purchased into the concept of Tower and what we’re attempting to do right here,” Tyler stated. “I feel that simply sort of takes it one step additional.”
He stated the plan is to now determine worker well being advantages.
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