University of Florida Announces Living Wage Program

Gail F. Baker, Vice President

University of Florida President Charles E. Young today announced a program to increase the minimum pay for entry- level employees. Effective Dec. 1, the minimum pay for all employees will be raised to $7 per hour, a 12 percent increase over the current minimum of $6.23 per hour. On June 1, 2001, the pay will increase to a minimum of $7.50 per hour and in December of 2001, to $8 per hour.

“Since arriving on campus I have been concerned over what I believe to be pay deficiencies among the university’s lowest wage earners. After much review, and with the complete support of my colleagues in the administration, I have decided that the current wage scale is inadequate in meeting the needs of these valuable employees. As a result of that study we are implementing this program to insure that every employee of the University of Florida is receiving a livable wage,” Young said.

Currently, about 140 employees will be affected by the December increase. Individuals benefiting from the increase work in all areas of campus. In addition to improving wages, the program is expected to help the area’s largest employer recruit and retain a productive workforce.

Resources will be reallocated to fund these pay increases, which will cost the university approximately $150,000 annually. Affected employees will see the increases begin in their checks of Dec. 15.

“This is the right thing for the University of Florida to do, and the right time for us to do it,” Young said.