Seton To Increase Minimum Wage To $11 Per Hour

Hike to Occur at All Ascension Ministries; Will Affect 7% of Workers Nationally

 

Seton Healthcare Family is increasing its minimum wage, effective with the first pay period in July, to $11 per hour along with all other healthcare ministries that are part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health care system.

 

The raise affects about seven percent of the more than 150,000 employees across Ascension and 180 of Seton’s almost 12,800 employees. They include aides and assistants; those who work in laundry, environmental, housekeeping and food and nutrition services; receptionists and administrative assistants; admitting staff; and others.

 

“In deliberating with leaders across our national health ministry, our local leaders have decided that, just as we are leading the transformation of healthcare in our nation, we should also set an example for other organizations, particularly other healthcare providers, in advocating for a fair and just minimum wage,” Anthony R. Tersigni, Ascension president and chief executive officer, said. “We believe our associates deserve a socially just wage that acknowledges the dignity of the human person and the spiritual significance of the care they provide every day to those we serve and to their fellow associates.”

 

The federal minimum hourly wage is $7.25, with state minimums ranging up to $9.50. Texas remains at $7.25. President Barack Obama has called for a national minimum wage of $10.10.

 

In recent years, all Ascension hospitals and other health facilities and subsidiaries have followed a Socially Just Wage and benefits policy, under which the minimum wage was reviewed annually to reflect economic conditions in each market. In most markets, those rates have been in the range of $9 to $10 an hour.

 

“We are excited our ministries are taking this important step. It reflects a commitment to provide competitive compensation and benefit programs that meet the needs of our diverse associate populations – while being good stewards of our resources so that we can continue to serve all persons with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable,” Tersigni said.