As mask mandates are removed and the summer tourism season begins, casinos in Michigan are hopeful that they will be able to hire more people and service more guests. There are 23 tribal casinos in the state, and all are ready to get back to work in a full capacity. To be able to serve the influx of summer guests, the casinos are hosting job fairs. One casino has decided to increase the minimum wage as part of its hiring effort, and it is expected that they will see many people apply during this detrimental time in the economy.
Minimum Wage Increase
In the western portion of the state, Gun Lake Casino has announced its plans to hire over 200 people for its gambling facility. The property has decided to increase the minimum wage to $14 an hour, which is sure to peak interest in those on the hunt for work.
The lowest wage of the casino has increased by 30% and those who work in tipped employment positions are now making $7.40 an hour. In the state, the tipped minimum wage is $3.75 so this is a nice increase. In general, the minimum wage is $9.87, so the $14 an hour employees will enjoy a nice increase as well.
The raises will take effect on June 1. Bob Peters, the Tribal Chairman, said that the tribe recognizes how trying the past year has been for team members. They are proud of their team for sticking it out through the many challenges and continuing to offer guests superior services. They feel the raise is well-deserved for their team members.
Plenty of Job Opportunity
Anyone looking for work in Michigan will have plenty of opportunities via the casino operators. Gun Lake is hosting three job fairs in June. The first one will take place on June 2 at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton in Kalamazoo while the second is on June 5 at the administrative parking lot of the casino. The third is in Grand Rapids at the Downtown Market on June 15.
The Soaring Eagle venue in Mount Pleasant has been hosting job fairs every Thursday and will continue to do so through June 3. They have seasonal positions on offer with compensation starting at $15 to $20 an hour. Some positions even include a signup bonus.
The Ojibwa Casino has immediate openings for several positions and has information listed on their website. Cage cashiers, line cooks, and a security officer are among the options open. Northern Waters Casino also has immediate options for employment available in several areas.
To stay on top of all the latest job fairs, simply visit the casino websites of each venue in the state. Depending on where you live, you might want to apply at a specific casino for employment. It will be interesting to see how quickly these positions fill up.
In many states across the US, employers are seeing a shortage when it comes to employees. The stimulus payments from the federal government and unemployment compensation have caused many people to avoid working. Hopefully, the casinos in Michigan will be able to find enough employees to cover the positions they have available and ensure services are provided correctly during the summer season.
