UnityPoint Health-Meriter in Madison, Wis., will raise its minimum wage to $17 an hour, effective April 4, NBC affiliate WMTV reported March 23.
The hospital's new minimum wage is nearly $10 above the state minimum wage, according to the report. Staff members currently near the $17-an-hour wage will also see a bump in pay, not just the employees below that amount.
The wage increase will include Service Employees International Union Healthcare Wisconsin team members, such as housekeeping and food service workers.
"As a major Dane County employer, it's important that we ensure our team members have financial stability, as well as attract and retain employees to meet the needs of our patients," Meriter President and CEO Sue Erickson told NBC15. "We deeply value our team members and increasing pay for those in our entry level pay ranges is important to all of us."