The minimum wage paid to salaried employees will be increased to $19,000 per year as part of the pay increases that will be effective Jan. 1, 2007. President Michael F. Adams made the announcement in his report to the April 25 meeting of the University Council.
“I am pleased that we are able to give priority in directing the university’s resources to those among our employees who most need it,” Adams says. “The university recognizes the importance of paying a living wage to its employees and has taken some very large steps in recent years to address the issue. It will continue to be our goal to address this issue in future years, because it is the right thing to do.”
The lowest-paid salaried employees at the university were paid $12,790 just four years ago, when the minimum level was increased to $15,000. Last year, it was increased to $17,500. Next year’s increase to $19,000 will affect 596 salaried employees at a cost to the university of $525,515 in salaries and an additional $210,206 in increased benefits payments.
The increase affects all salaried employees who now make less than $19,000 regardless of whether they are paid from state funds or from other sources such as grants or auxiliary services.
University Council has named an ad hoc committee to study the issue further, including wages paid to part-time or temporary workers. The 19-member committee, chaired by Associate Vice President for Human Resources Tom Gausvik, consists of seven faculty, six administrators and six staff. It is to report to University Council this fall.
