Tucson restaurants get lackluster response to ‘help wanted’ signs | Tucson Restaurant News

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Co-owner Mat Cable said he expects its employees at Zio Peppe, 6502 E. Tanque Verde Road, to make at least $ 15 an hour on tips that are also shared with some back-of-house employees. The worst-paying job in the restaurant is an entry-level dishwasher who pays $ 12.50 an hour.

At Boca, Mazon said she pays her employees more than $ 1 above the state minimum wage of $ 12.15 and offers benefits to some depending on the job.

“I’m a good chef and I’ll take care of them as long as they take care of me,” said Mazon, who has become a national celebrity in recent years thanks to appearances on food network shows like “Chopped” in 2017 and Bravo’s “Top Chef: Portland,” which is now airing. “I’m in the trenches with them. I clean tables. I sweep and mop and deliver food. “

One of the driving factors in Tucson’s tight labor market, which affects all sectors from retail to hospitality to construction, could be the improved unemployment benefits that pay $ 300 a week on top of the $ 240 a week, said Hammond. Pima County’s unemployment rate was 6.7% in March, 1.7% higher than last year, he said.

“The unemployment benefit is a significant increase which in many cases, especially for low-wage industries, makes it competitive to return to work,” he admitted. “That’s one factor that is likely to contribute, but these programs will expire in early September.”

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