Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system, has chosen to implement a new national minimum wage for associates across the country. The new Socially Just Minimum Wage, $11 an hour, will be effective with the pay period beginning July 5, 2015.
Approximately 7 percent of more than 150,000 associates across Ascension’s more than 1,900 sites of care in 23 states and Washington, D.C., will be directly helped in some way. Those affected work in a wide range of disciplines, including aides and assistants; those who work in laundry, environmental, housekeeping, and food and nutrition services; receptionists and administrative assistants; admitting staff; and others.
Ascension ministries are increasing the fair and just wage for their associates to exceed industry standards, which it hopes will encourage other healthcare employers to choose to do the same. While healthcare is the fastest growing industry in the country and accounts for more than 10 percent of jobs nationally, as an industry healthcare has not taken many steps to address the growing income inequality in the country.
“Our Mission is to advocate for a compassionate and just society, and the first principle of a just society is the common use of goods, which individuals access primarily through wages,” Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, 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.”
“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,” Dr. Tersigni said.
“We are excited to be taking this important step. It reflects our 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,” he said.
For several years, all of Ascension’s hospitals, other health facilities and subsidiaries have followed a Socially Just Wage and benefits policy, under which their minimum wage was reviewed annually to reflect economic conditions in each market. In most markets those rates are in the range of $9 to $10 an hour. Starting in July, local leaders across the entire national health system will apply the common Socially Just Minimum Wage of $11 an hour. The federal minimum hourly wage is $7.25, with state minimums ranging up to $9.50. President Barack Obama has called for a national minimum wage of $10.10. Approximately 10,000 employees and affiliated contractors will benefit from this wage increase.
In addition to applying to all Ascension associates, the Socially Just Wage will also apply to individuals who serve in staff positions at affiliated organizations that serve within Ascension hospitals, other health facilities and subsidiaries for services that would traditionally be provided through direct employment – for example, TouchPoint Support Services, which provides environmental, food and nutrition services at Ascension facilities. It does not apply to students, interns and contracted associates residing internationally. Facilities that already pay minimum wages more than $11 an hour will not be affected.
About Ascension
Ascension (www.ascension.org) is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system, Ascension is committed to delivering person-centered care to all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. In FY2014, Ascension provided $1.8 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. More than 150,000 associates and 35,000 affiliated providers serve in 1,900 sites of care – including 131 hospitals and more than 30 senior care facilities – in 23 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to healthcare delivery, Ascension subsidiaries provide a variety of services and solutions including physician practice management, venture capital investing, treasury management, biomedical engineering, clinical care management, information services, risk management, and contracting through Ascension’s own group purchasing organization
