Camden, N.J.-based Cooper University Health Care said the system will increase the minimum wage for full-time, part-time, and per-diem employees to $15 an hour, effective Jan. 1.
About 10 percent of Cooper's 7,500 employees will benefit from the new minimum wage. This includes patient service representatives, food and nutrition staff and critical care technicians.
"We have an absolute obligation, as the largest employer in both the City of Camden and Camden County, to do the right thing and lead the way on providing a quality wage for our workers," said George Norcross III, chairman of Cooper's board of trustees. "In addition to being the right thing to do, we believe investing in our employees is a smart business decision that will pay dividends in the long run by helping us attract and retain talented people who will ultimately improve the healthcare experience for our patients."
The wage increase equates to $31,200 annually.
Cooper said Mr. Norcross has sent a letter to the chairperson and CEOs of health systems in New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania urging them to also increase minimum pay for employees.
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