Bellaire, Mich. – Short’s Brewing Company, Northern Michigan’s largest craft brewery, is announcing the immediate adoption of Michigan’s 2018 minimum wage rates. A new law will require Michigan employers to gradually raise their minimum wages over the coming years. Skipping the intermediate rates, Short’s has committed to implement the 2018 wage level now. Short’s is one of the largest employers in Antrim County, Michigan.
Michigan is the eighth state to enact a new minimum wage hike this year. On May 24, 2014 Governor Rick Snyder signed a law to gradually increase the minimum wage incrementally. On January 2018, the minimum wage rate of $9.25 per hour for non-tipped employees and $3.51/hour for tipped employees will take effect. After 2018, minimum wage increases will be tied to inflation.
“As we have grown over the past few years, we’ve made it our goal to reward the hard-working staff who have contributed significantly towards our mission,” stated Matt Drake, Short’s COO and HR Director. “By starting new employees with a competitive minimum wage, we feel that we can continue to attract and retain excellent employees.”
Although Short’s has adopted $9.25 as the minimum for it’s food and beverage hospitality jobs such as dishwasher, it’s average deli wage rate is above $11/hour. “This is also true for tipped employees, who have been started at $3.50 for the past couple years, with many receiving merit increases above that rate.” Drake explained that “Short’s goal is to make pubtending a viable career choice, because it also benefits us in the long run.” Similarly, the average pack-line wage is above $11/hour at Short’s Elk Rapids production brewery.
“Along with making high quality, creatively fearless beer, our goal is to take care of our staff,” stated Drake. “Whether it be fair wages, health insurance, dental insurance, IRA contributions, or health and wellness perks, we want to take care of our staff so that they can enjoy their lives and take care of their families.”
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Short’s Brewing Company
Matt Drake
COO
231-498-2300 x101
[email protected]
Pauline Knighton
Media Director
231-498-2300 x156
[email protected]
