Allina Hospitals Establish $15 Min. Wage In Twin Cities Hospitals
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Around 3,000 hospital employees in the Twin Cities metro area approved a contract from Allina Healthcare establishing a minimum wage of $15 per hour.
According to a press release from the SEIU, the three-year contract affects seven hospitals in the Twin Cities region, including Shakopee and Buffalo. It also includes employment security protections as well as health and safety protections for workers.
The union-negotiated contract also includes an increase in Allina's contribution towards its employees' pension plans, and a 25 percent increase in the amount of tuition reimbursement available to all members annually.
The deal comes after a nationwide battle for a $15 minimum wage, particularly in the fast food industry. The Minnesota Legislature approved a bump in the minimum wage last year, and several other businesses in the region followed suit.
Lawmakers recently began debates over a rise in the minimum wage for tipped workers as well.
Just last month, Target announced it was raising its minimum wage to $9 an hour in order to compete with rivals such as Walmart.