Just Economics of Western North Carolina
Policy Advocacy
A “living wage” is the amount that a worker must earn to afford his or her basic necessities, without public or private assistance.
The living wage for a single individual living in Buncombe County for 2010 is $11.35/hour without benefits, or $9.85/hour with employer-provided health insurance.
Over the past three years, JE spearheaded the Asheville- Buncombe Living Wage Campaign, which resulted in the passage of a living wage ordinance by Asheville’s City Council in May 2007.
The ordinance ensures that city employees are paid a living wage, marking a significant first step in the struggle for economic justice in our region. The campaign is working now to win a living wage for a much broader swath of workers in our community.
Current Phase in the Living Wage Campaign
Now, Just Economics is working to extend Asheville’s current living wage ordinance to include contract workers.
We believe that the janitors who clean our buildings, cooks who prepare our food, and all the workers that do contract work for our City should earn a decent wage that allows them to support themselves and their families.
What is the Contractor Living Wage Policy?
This policy would ensure that workers that do contract business with the City of Asheville earn a living wage. It would level the playing field for businesses that compete for City contract jobs, and stop the “race to the bottom” that leaves contractors with no choice but to pay low wages. It would not hurt contractors financially because the City would absorb the cost of paying its contractors a living wage.
Many cities across the country already have living wage policies that apply to contract workers. Asheville is late in considering such a policy.
It’s time for our City to do not only the right thing, but what will bring us one step closer to building a more sustainable local economy that works for all.