A Connecticut healthcare system is raising its minimum wage

A Connecticut healthcare system is raising its minimum wage to $20 an hour, which will benefit an estimated 4,000 employees and is $3 higher than the state’s current minimum wage of $16.94 per hour.

The information about the Hartford Healthcare wage increase, according to documents obtained by The Courant, shows that it is to become effective on Dec. 27. The state’s minimum wage will Increase to $17.48 on January 1, 2027.

Hartford Healthcare called its increase a “a significant investment in our workforce” that would impact thousands of workers across the health system.

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The health system also intends to address “pay compression resulting from this change” and the decision came after an “annual wage analysis performed” by its HR team over the summer, according to documents obtained by the Courant.

Asked about the new minimum wage, Hartford Healthcare president and CEO Jeffrey Flaks said, “We are incredibly proud to make this investment in our colleagues- the heart of our organization.

“This will positively impact thousands of colleagues. We value and respect them and the important work they do every day,” he said.

The “investment reflects our commitment to supporting colleagues, recognizing the important contributions they make every day, and ensuring Hartford HealthCare remains an employer of choice,” one document said.

The decision reflects Hartford HealthCare’s “commitment to investing in colleagues, supporting their financial wellbeing, and ensuring the organization remains competitive in attracting and retaining talent,” the document said.

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The system has what it calls a “People Promise” and according to the system it is a way to support colleagues through “pay, benefits, career development opportunities, educational assistance, retirement programs, and wellbeing resources.”  Further, while about 4,000 workers across Hartford HealthCare’s hospitals, ambulatory locations, and support functions will benefit from this increase, an additional 4,000 will benefit from compression adjustments, the documents show.

“Represented colleagues will continue to be paid in accordance with their applicable collective bargaining agreements. Any wage adjustments will be addressed as part of successor contract negotiations when their agreements are next negotiated,” a document said.

Roles that are not included are: SVMC Special Needs Client roles, Live-in Caregivers in HHC Independence at Home, Patient Observers, Transition Associates, Student Interns, special summer program participants, Physicians on Call, and members of certain collective bargaining units, the documents show.

The new minimum wage will go live on December 27, 2026 and take effect on the first paycheck in 2027, which is January 14, according to the health system.

“The increase will primarily benefit front line colleagues whose current pay falls below the new $20 per hour HHC minimum wage,” and the system will review compensation impacts and address compression resulting from the minimum wage increase, the documents show.

“As healthcare continues to evolve, attracting and retaining exceptional people remains critical to our success. This investment helps ensure Hartford HealthCare remains a place where people can build meaningful careers, support their families, and grow professionally.”

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Flaks said in one of the documents that “our people are at the heart of everything we do. Every day, you care for our patients, support one another, and bring our mission to life” and that the increases recognizes “the important work our colleagues do.”

“We will also adjust pay for other affected positions to help keep compensation fair and equitable,” he wrote.

“Those represented by a collective bargaining agreement will continue to follow the wage rates and pay increases in their union contracts. Any changes related to the new $20 minimum wage will be addressed as part of successor contract negotiations when their agreements are next negotiated.”

Flaks also noted the change is based on an annual wage analysis finalized this summer and “represents a meaningful investment in thousands of colleagues across Hartford HealthCare. It reflects a core belief that guides us every day: when we invest in our people, we empower our teams, improve patient experience, and strengthen the communities we are privileged to serve.”