TicketNetwork Increases Wage Scale Well Ahead Of State Schedule

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — TicketNetwork on Wednesday announced it will impose its own minimum wage scale of $15 per hour, effective immediately and about three years ahead of new set of state-imposed graduated guidelines.

The fiscal year impact is estimated to be about $250,000, company officials said in a news conference at the South Windsor headquarters.

TicketNetwork, is a software provider for the secondary ticket marketplace, serving an extensive network of "retail" websites offering tickets to sought-after concert, sporting, and theater events worldwide.

Company management informed staff members at a meeting in late October about the raises, which were "inspired" by the state legislature’s action "to benefit Connecticut workers as well as a desire to be a leader in the local business community."

"We are thrilled to be in a position to reward our staff for excellent work being done across all of our various departments," TicketNetwork Chief Financial Officer Chris Hummer said. "While costly on paper, this decision puts TicketNetwork in an excellent position to attract talented early career workers, as well as retain existing staff who might otherwise be enticed by other opportunities in different markets."

Hummer said the increases impact every employee making less than $19 per hour – an estimated 125 individuals at the company’s headquarters. The overwhelming majority of employees call Connecticut home.

Here is the company scale:

• Employees making $14 or less will see their hourly rate increased to $15
• Employees making $14.01 to $19 will see a $1 increase in their hourly rate in paychecks

The new state wage scale was signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont in May. It will progress to $15 per hour in June 2023 and then be tied to U.S. Department of Labor’s employment cost index thereafter.

Here is the breakdown:

• $11 per hour on Oct. 1, 2019
• $12 per hour on Sept. 1, 2020
• $13 per hour on Aug. 1, 2021
• $14 per hour on July 1, 2022
• $15 per hour on June 1, 2023.

"A company’s employees are their most valuable asset and giving them a raise is not only impactful and uplifting but it shows them how much you appreciate their dedication," Gov. Ned Lamont said. "When a growing company like TicketNetwork implements a policy like this proactively, it sends a message far and wide that will help to retain and attract a talented work force."

Hummer called the move "a celebration of the staff," and TicketNetwork employees were gushing over the formal announcement Wednesday.

Tylon Turner, a staffer in the company's on-campus cafe who's been employed six-and-a-half years, said the extra money simply "makes things better at home."

Anne Burke, who came to TicketNetwork in 2005 after being a stay-at-home mom, said the wage increage will probably make her a "lifer" at TicketNetwork. She is currently a call center compliance staffer.

Ashley Koziovich, a real-time analyst who's been at the company for four-and-a-half years, said she's getting married in the spring and the raise makes the road to a mortgage a lot smoother.

State Sen. Saud Anwar, a co-sponsor of the wage bill and veteran local politician, hailed the move as part of a "moral responsibility for reasonable pay."