Short’s Brewing announces immediate adoption of Michigan’s 2018 minimum wage

Short’s Brewing Co. is both progressive and employee focused. Northern Michigan’s largest craft brewery just announced the immediate adoption of Michigan’s 2018 minimum wage rates. Wait, 2018? Yep, a new law will require Michigan employers to gradually raise their minimum wages over the coming years, but Short’s plans on skipping the intermediate rates and has committed to implement the 2018 wage level now. Short’s is one of the largest employers in Antrim County, Mich.

“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 chief operating officer and HR director. “By starting new employees with a competitive minimum wage, we feel that we can continue to attract and retain excellent employees.”

Michigan is the eighth state to enact a new minimum wage hike this year. On May 24, 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.

Although Short’s has adopted $9.25 as the minimum for its 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. “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’s 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.”