Following a study on compensation levels, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has approved a plan to increase wages for all of its employees, which includes Kewadin Casinos, with some of that money being paid retroactively.
The pay increase, which includes an across-the-board minimum wage increase, will impact the more than 1,000 full and part-time employees at the five Michigan Casinos. The Sault Tribe owns and operates the Upper Peninsula Kewadin Casinos in Sault Ste. Marie, Christmas, Hessel, Manistique, and St. Ignace.
All pay increases taking place retroactively
The key points in the wage improvement package are:
- Minimum wage tribal employees will have their hourly rate elevated to $14.50 for tribal government employees and $15 for Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Kewadin Casino employees.
- Non-tipped employees shall get either an increase to the minimum of the updated compensation range for their job or a 3% pay raise, whichever is greater.
- All employees will have their pay increases applied retroactively to the period of October 1 through December 31, 2024. The retroactive payments will be issued in January.
The 12-member board of directors unanimously voted to approve the recommendations set forth in a wage study by the EDC in 2024. Pay increases will take effect in January 2025.
In a press statement, Sault Tribe Board Chairman Austin Lowes said of the move:
“Tribe employees are our community, our family, and it’s important that we take care of each other. We are proud that the board’s unanimous decision will result in a base salary increase for hundreds of Sault Tribe employees to ensure that we are offering competitive wages based on the market rate for every position.”
Tribe hopes to entice more interest with wage package
Pay increases also benefit those who are yet to be employed by the tribe. Attracting talent to northern Michigan and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is also an important outcome of the decision. Allen Kerridge, CEO for Kewadin Casinos noted as much in the press release.
“The wage increases will change the game for our Tribe to provide a competitive wage in our market and ensures that we can recruit additional staff necessary to continue growing our businesses. Thank you to Sault Tribe leadership for making this happen.”
The pay raises are another progressive step by the Sault Tribe, following a decision earlier this year to make its Kewadin Casinos moke-free.
The Sault Tribe’s Economic Development Corporation was created as a holding company to operate the gaming interests of the tribal nation. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is the largest federally recognized tribe in Michigan.
It previously owned and operated the Greektown Casino and Detroit, and has in the past suggested it may open casinos in the Lower Peninsula. However, those plans were challenged in state courts on arguments that it would violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
