Wine Country Times

Graton Resort & Casino employees will be seeing bigger paychecks starting this week after the Sonoma County casino announced "industry-leading" minimum wage raises. 

"Families in Northern California struggle to get by on the minimum wage," Grag Sarris, Graton Rancheria Tribal chairman, said in a release posted on PR Newswire. "A wage increase seemed only fitting to help our team members after a difficult year."

Tipped workers received at least a $2.50 raise bringing their current rate to $17.50 per hour. Non-tipped employees now make $18.50 an hour which is at least $3.25 higher than previously. Salaried workers received at least a 10% raise.  

The cost of living is high in Sonoma County, so for employees like Kathy Winfield, these raises will have a big impact on their finances. Winfield cleans public areas at the casino. She hasn't been on a vacation in years and her family has had to cope with two recent tragedies. 

"This raise will take some of the pressure off financially and allow us to sped quality time together to heal," she said in the release. "Family is so important, and this raise will give us the chance to start a new chapter."

D. Taylor, UNITE HERE International president, called the wage increase "life-changing." He said it'll help Graton's employees, their families, and the economy bounce back from the devastating blow from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Too many employers in the hospitality industry have left their workers behind during COVID-19," he said in the release. "The leadership of Graton Resort & Casino sends a powerful message that our recovery depends on good jobs and a just economy."

The company also announced a new quarterly discretionary bonus program. This all in addition to the benefits already offered by the company which include 100% paid employee health insurance and paid time off.