Restaurant Owner Blames Federal Unemployment Benefits for Lack of Workers

(KNSI) – A St. Cloud restaurant owner can’t find enough workers, and he says he’s not alone.

Ray Harrington owns 7 West Tap House, Boulder Tap House, and Pioneer Place on Fifth in St. Cloud and says everybody in foodservice is struggling to find staff.

He was a guest on KNSI’s Ox in the Afternoon with Dan “The Ox” Ochsner and says unemployment benefits from the federal government during the pandemic shutdown are to blame.

“It’s plainly evident. What is causing it? And I don’t know if they’re deniers or they don’t think that it’s the government’s fault that we’re having these problems, whatever the case may be, but it’s plainly obvious. We’ve created a generation that just doesn’t want to work.”

Harrington says even with Minnesota allowing more indoor dining on May 28. His restaurants can’t take any more customers.

“We’re about as busy as we can get with the staff we have right now. I really wish we could do more, but we’re pretty limited. There aren’t people applying for jobs, we’re losing staff faster than we’re getting them.”

He says many restaurants will reduce hours, remain closed several days a week, or leave tables open because of the lack of workers.

Harrington believes those who kept a job during the pandemic deserve payments.

“These people that have worked through this whole pandemic who really busted their tails, they’re the ones that should be getting the $200 to $300 extra a week. Not to help people stay home and do nothing and ignore the world. We really need people to get out, get back in the workforce, and make this economy work properly.”

He says many prices at restaurants will go up noticeably all over.

“It’s going to be an ugly day when all these people who wanted stuff for free are going to go out to eat someday, and they’re eating $18 cheeseburgers. It’s going to be a sad day. We’ve hurt the industry for the very long term. We’re in a lot of trouble.”

Harrington says locally-owned restaurants and businesses will be the most affected.

He hopes hiring will get better in the fall when a lot of the federal stimulus money for workers ends.

Last week, businesses in St. Cloud were given a survey to fill out asking for input on what owners think is causing the hiring problem.

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