University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to raise minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021
Pittsburgh City Council found the average hourly wage at the health system was $12.94 an hour, Hospital Workers Rising said.
Photo courtesy UPMC
UPMC, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, will increase minimum starting salaries for entry-level positions to $15 an hour by January 2021, according to UPMC.com.
Additionally, average service worker pay at these facilities will exceed $15 an hour by January 2019, the health system said. The pay changes begin on Jan. 1, 2017.
UPMC is the largest non-government employer in Pennsylvania.
In a statement, UPMC said the action is based on the continual evaluation of the market.
"We review the market each year to ensure that our salary ranges are competitive and we are committed to rewarding our strong-performing employees with merit increases on an annual basis," said John Galley, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at UPMC.
[Also: UPMC cost management tool slated for market under Health Catalyst deal]
However, Hospital Workers Rising said the wage increase reflects a win for union employees.
"By standing up for better jobs, Pittsburgh hospital workers and our union won a huge victory today and raises for thousands of workers at UPMC," UPMC Presbyterian employee Leslie Poston said Tuesday through a statement from Hospital Workers Rising. Poston said she was paid $13 an hour. "UPMC executives said they would never pay workers $15 an hour, but the Pittsburgh community stood together and demanded more from the healthcare giant."
In a wage report, the Pittsburgh City Council found the average hourly wage at the health system was $12.94 an hour, according to Hospital Workers Rising.
The wage increase will be in effect at flagship UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside hospital, UPMC Mercy, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and other facilities, UPMC said.
UPMC employees represented by unions, will continue to have their wages and benefits negotiated by their respective unions, the provider said.
[Also: UPMC says it will stop accepting Highmark Health's Medicare Advantage as in-network]
The total package of salary and benefits available to employees includes a retirement savings plan with a percentage match by UPMC, a defined benefit pension plan paid by UPMC, tuition assistance for employees and their families, comprehensive health insurance and generous paid time off, UPMC said.
Those making $15 an hour and getting UPMC's benefits package will earn the equivalent of $24.25 an hour, according to the statement.
UPMC's average compensation is $64,400 annually, not including benefits.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
