An unusual problem has crept up during the slow start to summer for some Island workers: there’s not enough work.
While some Island businesses continue to struggle to find enough employees — at times scaling back operations and reducing their hours — others said they have turned away last-minute jobseekers, a sharp reversal from the last two years when help wanted signs adorned many down-Island shop windows.
“Early in the season, before the college kids and everyone were available, of course we were a little short,” said Sandy Trailor, a salesperson at Island Outfitters in Edgartown. “But we still have probably three or four people coming in a day, looking for a position.”
One factor may be the presence of foreign workers following several years when the J-1 visa program was upended by the Covid pandemic and political fallout. Others said they had adjusted their hiring expectations and business hours based on past difficulties and a soft start to the season.
Gazette reporters walked the Island’s main streets this week, talking to employers and staff about their readiness for the upcoming summer season. While the housing crisis continues to affect all areas of Island life, the lack of housing was not universally cited as an impediment to summer hiring.
Scott Hannah, manager at The Seafood Shanty, said hiring employees with J-1 visas has been easier since the pandemic ended, and the restaurant is now “staffed up.”
Several workers across the three down-Island towns, including foreign students visiting on J-1 visas, said their employers are fully staffed, making it difficult to find second jobs or pick up more hours to support themselves.
In addition to her work as a sales associate at Soft as a Grape in Oak Bluffs, Klara, a student from Croatia, said she works a second job at Town Bar and Grill MV, but struggles to make ends meet.
“It’s been hard for me and a lot of my friends to find second jobs,” she said. “Places are overstaffed.”
Jahvani Roberts at Murdick’s Fudge in Vineyard Haven.
— Ray Ewing
The sentiment was echoed by two other J-1 workers at Mad Martha’s in Oak Bluffs, who said they have also not had much luck finding additional jobs.
“Everyone here already wants more hours,” said Liza, a student at a university in Bulgaria.
Not everyone is up to full strength, though.
The Seven Sisters, a Vineyard Haven boutique, has struggled to compete with larger employers that can offer housing.
— Ray Ewing
Steve Bernier, who previously owned Cronig’s Market and remains active in its operation, said the grocery stores used to hire employees on J-1 and H-2B visas, but have stepped away from that practice in recent years because of how challenging the bureaucratic process has become.
Without the influx of those extra employees to share the load, the grocery stores have remained closed on Sundays.
“We’ve made adjustments. We’ve made concessions and are just trying to do all of the above as respectful for everybody as we can,” Mr. Bernier said. “This changed the way we go to market.”
Other businesses requiring more specialized skills have been having a tough time, too.
Martha’s Vineyard Bike Rentals manager Jay Merill said it is rare to find workers with bike mechanic experience.
Waterside Market anchors one end of Vineyard Haven Main Street.
— Ray Ewing
“It’s been hard to find help, sort of overall,” he said. “Especially since Covid. And all everybody says is that it’s hard to find housing.”
Several businesses did cite housing as a barrier to hiring, including The Seven Sisters boutique in Vineyard Haven. Owner Ty Sinnett said the lack of affordable housing here makes it challenging to find young professionals to work, and she cannot compete with bigger stores such as Stop & Shop, which can pay a higher hourly rate and provide housing for their employees.
“I am relegated to hiring people who make supplemental income,” Ms. Sinnett said. “Everyone I know who owns or manages a business is still looking for help. I know a lot of people who have decided to scale back instead of hiring more people.”
While help wanted pages are filled with ads for workers, most of these are for year-round positions rather than for summer help. Some early reports on the summer season say it’s been slow compared to recent years, making it easier to get by with fewer employees. Rental agents previously noted bookings were down from pandemic highs and some businesses said things aren’t as busy as in recent years.
Island local and summer sales associate Ellie Tomkins of Eastaway Clothing in Oak Bluffs noticed the season’s calm. The staff at Eastaway is typically split about half Islanders and half J-1 holders, but one employee’s J-1 visa fell through at the last minute. This does not appear to be a problem, said Ms. Tomkins.
Richard White poses outside his Soft As a Grape store.
— Ray Ewing
“It’s usually a lot busier this time of year, so it feels like right now we don’t actually need as many workers as before,” she said.
Carolina Cooney, executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, agreed that this summer has started off slow, but rain could be blamed.
“We’re seeing a return to maybe 2019 levels,” Ms. Cooney said. “I mean, honestly, the weather hasn’t been helping the situation, and there’s not much we can do about that.”
Riis Williams contributed reporting.
