JAX Plans to Raise Wages for Over 1000 Employees

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), a nonprofit lab based in Bar Harbor, ME, recently announced their adjustment of minimum wage for their employees. This coming year, the organization will increase the minimum wage for hourly workers from $15/hour to $18/hour. This shift will affect a little over 1,000 employees, which is half of their work force, and will cost the organization $5 million.

This change is a response to the shift in the labor market after the pandemic and the difficulties that workers are experiencing. JAX Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Catherine Longley explained, “We understand that our greatest resource is our people, and we work every day to make sure that they are taken care of here at JAX. This includes staying ahead of the market with respect to compensation, generous health, retirement and benefit packages, and working hard to address issues that employees face daily such as affordable housing, childcare and parental leave.”

This past year, the lab did everything in their power to grow throughout the pandemic and to avoid furloughs and layoffs. The NEC recognizes JAX work throughout the pandemic to put their employee’s fist. Read more at Maine Business.