Groton In a display of southern New England’s newfound political clout, two U.S. cabinet secretaries joined a U.S. senator, two U.S. representatives and Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday in vouching for the kind of apprenticeship programs that are helping Electric Boat ramp up its submarine-building workforce.
Prior to a news conference, a contingent of government leaders and elected officials headed by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, the former Rhode Island governor, and Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, the former Boston mayor, toured EB’s shipyard here.
No media were allowed on the tour.
During the news conference, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., referred to Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, as “the most powerful person in the room,” a nod to her December election as chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee.
“We do not have enough staff,” co-owner Ken Robitaille said.
As a result, they’ve had to close on Mondays because they simply don’t have the staff to run the business seven days a week.
“Imagine a world where you’re very successful or too successful and you have to close because you can t find enough people to fill those positions,” said Robitaille.
The owners say would-be employees are making more money from unemployment than they would joining the team, despite what they say is a competitive wage.
The Connecticut Department of Labor says the state unemployment rate in March was 8.3%, more than double what it was at the same point in 2020. But despite people out of work and the industry saying there’s an abundance of open positions, the restaurant labor shortage remains a problem.
Restrictions will soon be gone at CT restaurants, but is there enough staff to support them?
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Moe Gad, the co-owner of Pacifico in New Haven, in a 2013 file photo.Helen NeafseyShow MoreShow Less
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The Milford Sports Pub and Grille in Milford.Bill Bloxsom / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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A lunch crowd at the Wood-n-Tap Restaurant in Farmington, under a tent along on the Farmington River.Dan Haar /Hearst Connecticut Media /Show MoreShow Less
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When Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday he will lift all remaining pandemic-related business restrictions on May 19, it was welcome news to most Connecticut restaurateurs.
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“We have increasingly found evidence of employers attempting to hire and not being able to find folks to take those jobs, said Flaherty.
Restaurant owner Leo Roche says he is facing that exact problem. Roche owns the Harp & Hound in Mystic, the Black Sheep in Niantic, and the Brazen Hen in Westerly. He is hiring for all three of his restaurants, about 12 positions, and is struggling to find people to take the jobs.
“Never before did we have this problem. It’s been crazy, said Roche. There’s like eight restaurants looking for the same person.”
The Whaler s Inn, also located in Mystic, is having a similar problem.