Post by Okwes on Nov 24, 2005 12:17:19 GMT -5
Nation worker bonuses top $4M
Tuesday, Nov 22, 2005
Elizabeth Cooper
Observer-Dispatch
As the holidays approach, Oneida Nation workers are getting a windfall in the form of year-end bonuses.
The Nation said it has given out $4.1 million in bonuses to its employees this year. The ripple effect from that money alone will cause a $10 million impact on the local economy, Mohawk Valley Community College Economics Professor Arthur Freidberg said.
The bon-uses were portioned among the 4,700 employees according to performance, length of service and other measures, Nation spokesman Jerry Reed said.
Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Stubley said the majority of moderately sized companies in the area give performance-based incentives throughout the year, rather than end-of-the-year bonuses.
"The smaller guy has to be more creative with how their dollars are spent," he said. "Having it tied into results makes more sense, and what's wrong with that? The more productive a person is, the better everybody does, and that's a good way of sharing."
Matt Brewing Co. does not give holiday bonuses, company Vice President Fred Matt said. Brewing company salesmen are paid in part using an incentive program.
"For our guys, it's just part of the normal pay package," he said. "We're just like any other sales organization."
Over the past five years, the Oneidas say they have given out more than $20 million in bonuses to their employees. The Nation's annual payroll topped $114 million in 2005.
"Bonuses of this magnitude are quite unusual nowadays," Nation Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Ray Halbritter said in a prepared statement. "Particularly in challenging economic times."
The work force at Nation enterprises, including Turning Stone Resort and Casino, is 98 percent non-Indian and 2,773 of the workers live in Oneida County.
Tuesday, Nov 22, 2005
Elizabeth Cooper
Observer-Dispatch
As the holidays approach, Oneida Nation workers are getting a windfall in the form of year-end bonuses.
The Nation said it has given out $4.1 million in bonuses to its employees this year. The ripple effect from that money alone will cause a $10 million impact on the local economy, Mohawk Valley Community College Economics Professor Arthur Freidberg said.
The bon-uses were portioned among the 4,700 employees according to performance, length of service and other measures, Nation spokesman Jerry Reed said.
Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Stubley said the majority of moderately sized companies in the area give performance-based incentives throughout the year, rather than end-of-the-year bonuses.
"The smaller guy has to be more creative with how their dollars are spent," he said. "Having it tied into results makes more sense, and what's wrong with that? The more productive a person is, the better everybody does, and that's a good way of sharing."
Matt Brewing Co. does not give holiday bonuses, company Vice President Fred Matt said. Brewing company salesmen are paid in part using an incentive program.
"For our guys, it's just part of the normal pay package," he said. "We're just like any other sales organization."
Over the past five years, the Oneidas say they have given out more than $20 million in bonuses to their employees. The Nation's annual payroll topped $114 million in 2005.
"Bonuses of this magnitude are quite unusual nowadays," Nation Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Ray Halbritter said in a prepared statement. "Particularly in challenging economic times."
The work force at Nation enterprises, including Turning Stone Resort and Casino, is 98 percent non-Indian and 2,773 of the workers live in Oneida County.