Second phase of livable-wage program for UF employees begins June 1

May 29, 2001

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida on Friday (6/1) will begin the second phase of a three-part program to increase the minimum pay for entry-level employees.

Effective Friday, the minimum pay for all employees will be raised 50 cents to $7.50 per hour, and those workers should see the part of the increase in their June 15 paychecks. In the first phase that became effective Dec. 1, minimum pay increased 12 percent from the previous $6.23-per-hour rate.

In the third phase in December, the minimum pay will increase to $8 per hour. Currently, about 253 workers will be affected by the June increase, said Ed Poppell, interim vice president for administrative affairs. People receiving 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.

“The University of Florida continues to believe that investing in its personnel through a livable-wage program is critical and necessary,” he said. ” This university is distinguished by its employees and we must continue to invest in this very precious resource.”

The increases will cost UF about $276,000, Poppell said.