Staff shortages in Broken Hill disrupt hospitality trade ahead of Mundi Mundi Bash
The Trinders have been managing the Astra for more than 20 years. (ABC Broken Hill: Youssef Saudie)
Hospitality venues in Broken Hill have been struggling to hire enough staff for their businesses, which is causing temporary closures and putting added pressure on workers.
Key points:
- Broken Hill businesses are desperate to attract staff so they can capitalise on an upcoming festival
- The Silly Goat has been closing early because its few staff have been working without taking breaks
- The cafe's owner says revenue has decreased by 50 per cent during the pandemic
David Trinder and his wife, Maryanne Trinder co-own restaurants across Broken Hill and have never had to stop operating their businesses because of a lack of staff.
The Astra was closed on Sunday and Monday nights.
"It's not that we don't want to trade, it's just that we can't trade," Mr Trinder said.
"I hate the idea that we in hospitality cannot open and service our community and our business only because of staff.
"I think there's been a change in culture and a change in direction on an attitude or response to working in hospitality.
"I also think that the domino effect of sickness, like COVID as well as the mental health of people struggling — they're all personal issues."
Mr Trinder is trying to stay optimistic, particularly with major tourism events like the two-day Mundi Mundi Bash set to begin on August 18.
"I'm advertising for dessert artists, kitchen hands, assistant cooks, pizza assistants, front of house staff, cocktail staff, etc" he said.
"We will do everything in our power to stay open and maintain that, because we need to seize that opportunity.
"It means that some will overwork."
Leone Tucker says she's been closing early because workers are working without taking breaks. (ABC Broken Hill: Youssef Saudie)
COVID halves cafe's turnover
Silly Goat owner Leone Tucker said COVID-19 and flu-driven staff shortages were impacting her business.
Ms Tucker said this was a "bleak" time for the cafe, which had been open for 16 years.
"Before, I'd have full staff and then, if I had staff that were leaving, it wasn't a problem to some key positions," she said.
"Generally we'd have people applying, but now we don't have anybody coming and applying when we regularly put out that we're hiring."
The Silly Goat was closed on Saturday July 30 and shut early last Tuesday on August 2 because of the lack of workers.
"Some staff aren't able to have breaks during the day, so we finish up early," Ms Tucker said.
She said revenue had decreased by 50 per cent since COVID-19.
"I don't like how the government has responded to COVID, I think it was badly organised and very detrimental to most people — especially businesses," Ms Tucker said.
Renay Schuste been working in hospitality for 15 years. (ABC Broken Hill: Youssef Saudie)
Manager Renay Schuster said the pressure on staff could be "very mentally and physically draining".
"Some people don't like the wait time and get a bit grumpy at you," she said.
"There's only so many 'sorrys' that you can throw out and we're trying our best.
"I'd love to have enough staff to open up and go back to how we used to be busy every day and just being able to handle it very well."