UA workers will have fatter wallets this fall

Southern Arizona’s largest employer will soon award pay raises for the first time in three years.

The University of Arizona plans to provide a “modest” wage increase to all benefits-eligible employees meeting performance expectations.

Some — for example, those deemed underpaid in their fields — may also receive additional raises on top of the base increase.

Details are still being worked out, but the UA says they’ll be finalized in time for the raises to appear on employees’ Sept. 12 paychecks.

All categories of employees are eligible, from the lowest earners to the senior executives who work for UA President Ann Weaver Hart. Hart is ineligible, since her pay is controlled separately by the Arizona Board of Regents.

“We must attract and retain world-class employees and graduate students and show them that their work is valued,” Hart said in a news release announcing the changes.

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UA spokesman Chris Sigurdson said this year’s raises are the first of several to come.

“The intention is that this be a multi-year program, so people can expect future reallocations and future raises,” he said.

UA employees aren’t the only ones likely to benefit, Sigurdson said. Area businesses could also see an uptick.

“As Tucson’s largest employer, faculty and staff raises also increase the university’s area economic impact,” he said in an email.

Provost Andrew Comrie said in the news release that UA faculty salaries “are now about 15 percent below the national median.”