UCW wins an 18/hour campus minimum wage at UTK!

UTK Raises Campus Minimum Wage to $18/hr

Knoxville, TN - The University of Tennessee Knoxville announced on Tuesday, May 12 that the campus minimum wage will increase to $18/hr effective July 1, 2026. The last wage increase was January of 2022, when it was increased to $15/hr. This newest increase comes after a years-long campaign from United Campus Workers Tennessee to increase the minimum wage to $20/hr, with members from all job categories circulating petitions, holding rallies, speaking to the Board of Trustees, passing Faculty Senate resolutions, and meeting multiple times with Chancellor Donde Plowman during her office hours. 

“The folks affected by this increase need this,” says UCW TN Steering Committee Chair Mia Romano. “They often work more than one job, and the cost of rent, groceries, and gas have been growing. We want UTK worker dignity, to not just survive but thrive, so there’s more to be done for these workers”. 

“Knoxville was recently identified as the city in this country with the highest gap between wage growth and rising rent costs since 2020…and [UTK] workers are struggling to keep up. I’ve had to move three times in the last eight months because my last landlord doubled my rent in three years, and affordable, stable housing is really that hard to find right now,” says a staff member at the university.

This wage increase affects over 400 campus workers who were making under $18/hr, primarily facilities workers, housekeepers in the dorms, landscapers, custodians, many of whom also work in the stadium on game days. “The work they do on campus is invaluable”, Romano states. “The University is touting record enrollment, and people in these jobs are a huge part of student success and retention, and the prestige and operation of the university.”

Jack Dempsey, an undergraduate student at UTK, says “making sure workers' needs are met through a living wage is the best way to ensure a positive campus environment for everyone involved, including students. $18/hour is a good place to start, and I hope to see further steps taken for a real living wage.” 

Campus Workers are celebrating this win to their years-long campaign, but they know the work is not done. “This is a step in the right direction to provide a living wage to workers at UTK. We look forward to more increases to the minimum wage on campus soon from the administration”, Romano says.