Tufts, Boston Medical Center workers to get $15 minimum wage

Workers at two major hospitals in Boston will ring in the new year with higher pay, according to their union.

Boston Medical Center and Tufts Medical Center both agreed to pay their employees $15 an hour in 2016, the United Healthcare Workers Union said.

“It’s great to see 1199 SEIU caregivers and Boston Medical Center leading the way. It’s a positive example of paying a living wage to folks who work hard providing quality care to patients and it’s an example that other area hospitals ought to follow,” Tyrek Lee, vice president of 1199SEIU,said in a statement to the State House News Service.

1199SEIU touted this as a victory in their Fight for $15 campaign for hospital workers in the city of Boston to earn a $15 per hour starting wage.

1199 SEIU has 52,000 members, and is the largest healthcare union in the Massachusetts.

Boston Medical Center will start paying their service, clerical and technical employees $15.12 on Jan. 3. This boost will impact some 200 workers.

“”The staff at Boston Medical Center work tirelessly to give our patients the highest quality care,” BMC President Kate Walsh said in a statement. “Taking this step of setting a minimum wage of $15 an hour for these workers reflects our recognition of the important role they play in making sure our patients have the best possible experience and our appreciation for all that they do for our patients and their families.”

Tufts Medical will up the wages of about 225 employees in January as well.

“Tufts Medical Center values the extraordinary care all our employees provide. Tufts Medical Center has committed to increasing all employees’ wages to $15 or more an hour over the next 18 months,” hospital spokesman Jeremy Lechan said.