Published: June 20, 2008 10:19 pm      

SENECA NATION: Casino workers hit the jackpot

3,700 casino workers to see $500 salary increases

Roughly 3,700 rank-and-file employees at three area casinos owned by the Seneca Nation of Indians are getting a financial boost from management to help them through trying economic times.

Representatives from the Seneca Gaming Corp. announced Friday their plan to give employees earning less than $40,000 a year a $500 increase in pay. The retroactive pay raises are effective June 9.

“We know that a $500 raise is not going to change anyone’s lifestyle,” said Brian Hansberry, the gaming corp.’s president and CEO. “But this was a compassionate decision on behalf of our board of directors to help our employees and let them know that we are going to face these economic challenges together with our team in place.”

The raises cover housekeepers, table game dealers, promotions workers and other staff members from Seneca Niagara Casino, Seneca Allegany Casino and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. They were approved by members of the gaming corp.’s board of directors in what officials described as a “different” approach to taking on the current economic slowdown and the state of the local and national economy.

“As a board, we could not be more proud of what our patrons experience when they visit our facilities and it’s all because of the treatment they receive from our employees 24 hours a day,” said Barry Snyder Sr., chairman of the board. “With expenses increasing, we wanted to do something to reinforce to our employees that they are our most valued asset.”

According to the gaming corp., the raises translate into an outlay of more than $2 million in increased payroll and associated payroll benefits. The company currently employs nearly 4,300 employees, more than 60 percent of whom live in the counties where the company’s gaming facilities are located, according to Gaming Corp. officials.

The company is currently working on a second hotel tower at Seneca Allegany, which will add 200 hotel rooms at the resort. Crews have also started work on the $333 million permanent Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, which is slated to open in downtown Buffalo in 2010.

The company also is working on a development plan for its property surrounding Seneca Niagara Casino in downtown Niagara Falls. Gaming Corp. spokesman Phil Pantano said the details of the those plans will not be disclosed until after they have been formally approved by the company’s board and the Seneca Nation of Indians Tribal Council.

“Nothing has been approved yet,” Pantano said.