Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Increases Tribal Minimum Wage to $11.82
Dec 19, 2018
Minimum Wage Increase Becomes Effective Tsiothohrkó:wa/January 1, 2019
AKWESASNE – The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is pleased to announce that it has once again increased the tribal minimum wage for all tribal government employees. The new tribal minimum wage of $11.82 goes went into effect on Tsiothohrkó:wa/January 1, 2019 and will immediately benefit 136 employees of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s government operations.
“Tribal employees are the organization’s greatest asset and we continue to review all opportunities to provide a competitive starting wage that reflects the cost of living,” stated the Tribal Council. They further added, “Staff contribute to many of the organization’s accomplishments and the increase to the tribal minimum wage will help serve as a reminder that all of their contributions are valued.”
The new tribal minimum wage represents an increase of $.34 per hour over the past year and a $.79 compared to two year ago when it was increased to $11.03 on Tsiothohrkó:wa/January 1, 2016. The latest increase will apply to all tribal government employees. Tribal LLCs continue to set their own pay rates based on the needs and capability of each business.
“The tribal minimum wage increase represents the latest effort by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe to provide for the wellbeing and livelihood of all tribal government employees,” stated SRMT Executive Director Tsiorasa Barreiro. “In doing so, we conduct periodic reviews of compensation policies to remain competitive and appealing to those seeking employment, while remaining fiscally responsible to tribal programs and the protection of community interests.”
Discussions on increasing the tribal minimum wage takes place each year between members of the Tribal Council, the Executive Director’s Office and the Chief Financial Officer. Talks focus on balancing the living needs of all tribal employees, the services provided to the Akwesasne community, and the need for the tribal organization to remain competitive in Northern New York State as an employer of choice.
The new tribal minimum wage of $11.82 assures that all employees of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe will continue to receive compensation greater than the New York State Minimum Wage. The increased wage will serve as the base rate for the SRMT Wage Scale that compensates all incoming and current tribal government employees according to job code and classification.
No tribal government employee of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe may receive compensation less than the new tribal minimum wage; with the exception of trainees and student interns who are specifically designated to receive a rate below the federal minimum wage due to program requirements.
#####
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk People