Just Economics of Western North Carolina

News

We had fun at the Synergy Story Slam on Labor Day!

The Synergy Story Slam is Asheville’s only open mic, community-based storytelling event!

The Synergy Story Slam takes place the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at the Magnetic Field. On Labor Day, (September 5th) the theme was “Getting Paid: things we do to make money” and 1/4 of the profits went to Just Economics.

The slam is an opportunity to share stories, to laugh, to learn, and to help out local organizations, all in an effort to build a stronger Asheville community. It’s good for you to tell your stories, and it’s good for us to hear them. And, of course, it’s good for community organizations because part of the proceeds from door donations collected at the slam will be donated to a different local organization each week. Another big fat chunk of the door cash goes to the story slam winner -that’s right friend, tell a story and it might be money in your pocket!

Check out JE in the Mountain X

here!

Last week’s Mountain Xpress features an article about Just Economics and our Living Wage Employer Certification Program. Reporter Jake Frankel interviews employees and business owners from Green Home Cleaning, Danny’s Dumpsters, The French Broad Chocolate Lounge and First Presbyterian Church Day Care Center. We are still workin’ it, trying to promote a more just and sustainable local economy through living wages. Be sure to vote with your dollars by shopping Living Wage Certified, and become part of a movement for a just and sustainable local economy by becoming a member of Just Economics! Join/Donate today.

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REUNITING OUR VOICES!

BRINGING TOGETHER VOICES FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE GRADUATES & VOLUNTEERS
WITH THE LARGER JE MEMBERSHIP TO FELLOWSHIP, BRAINSTORM & STRATEGIZE
-strategy planning for EOC (documentary nights, street team)
-ideas to revamp poverty simulation plus sign up list for training
-next voices (tentatively in Hillcrest, september) needs volunteers!

WHERE: the YWCA Multi-Purpose Room, 185 S. French Broad Ave.

WHEN: Friday, June 17th 6-8 p.m.

HOW: kids welcome, potluck dinner, carpooling available (contact Sophia)

ET CETERA: full plates art on display, Red/Black themed food & dress encouraged!

Thank you everyone who contacted their state legislators.

Unemployment Benefits: The Governor issued an Executive Order reinstating unemployment benefits to 47,000 struggling North Carolinians

State Budget: Our Governor vetoed the state budget. In the middle of the night, the House voted to override the veto. The state budget will now go to the Senate before it becomes law. Read about it here

Thank you to everyone that attended the Big Love Festival and Just Brew It!

Special thanks to the Asheville Grown Business Alliance and the Big Crafty for their work in organizing Big Love.

Just Brew It helped build our membership and raise money for the work we do at Just Economics. Special thanks to all the volunteers, judges, and especially the homebrewers who made this event possible and provided some of the finest homebrew to the JE membership!

Congratulations Home Brew Award Winners!

Tony Kiss Award: #10 Adam and Missy Reinke (Princess Peach)
Brewgasm: #12 Thom O’ Hearn /Heather Kinlaw (Tropical Wheat)
Wedge Award: #5 Dave Keller (Alt)
Highland Award: #11 Melissa Atallah (Hop on it Honey)
Green Man Award: #50 Brent Manning (American Pale Ale)
Altamont Award: #9 Bernie Kessel (Belgian)
Thirsty Monk Award: #23 John Kledis (Jesus: The reason for the saison)
Craggie Brewing Award: #26 Chad Noteboom (Liquid Sunshine DNA)
Celebrity Judge Award: #10 Adam & Missy Reinke (Hop Salad) honorable mention to #35 Rebeka French (Downtown Chili Brown) & #12 Thom O’ Hearn/Heather Kinlaw

Hops and Vines Award: #14 Will Reed
People’s Choice Award: #49 Daniel Wright/Chris Carson
Best Presentation Award: #46 Heidi Dunkleberg (Beaverdam Flattail Wheat)
Best Name: #48 James Stamey/Phyllis Overcash (Ying Yang Twang)
Most Enthusiastic: #6 King Gambrinus (Aggravated Fairy Milk)

Congratulations Raffle and Contest Winners!

Epsilon’s “Which of Water Which” raffle: Nathan Van Bibber
Diamond Thieves, Tattoo and Piercing’s “Trivia Raffle” : Steve Goldman
Mantis Garden’s “Brew Pong Raffle”: Trevor Reis

Join Us at Green Drinks THIS Wednesday!

Wednesday, April 13th, join us at Posana Cafe downtown (1 Biltmore Ave.), socializing for Green Drinks starts @ 5:30 and programming starts at 6pm. Just Economics will be presenting the program on Wednesday. We will talk about what we do and the upcoming Just Brew It as part of the Big Love Festival! As we have moved to a bi-monthly membership meeting structure, we also intend to have more informal social get-togethers during the opposite months. Green Drinks is a great opportunity to socialize with JE members and other people interested in positive social change. Join Us!

March 22, City Council Approves Plan to Extend Living Wage Requirements to the First Phase of City Contractors!

On March 22, members of our Voices for Economic Justice program, Policy Advocacy Committee members, JE Board members, and staff advocated for extending the living wage policy to workers on City contracts and Asheville City Council passed the motion (4-2)! Just Economics originally passed a living wage ordinance with the City of Asheville in 2007 requiring that all City employees be paid a living wage. Since then Just Economics has been working to include workers on City contracts. City Council has had some concerns about not knowing the financial impact this would have on the City. In an attempt to move this forward, positively impact workers, and see that more of our tax dollars are spent on living wage jobs, JE worked with the City staff to phase in this policy, starting with contracts that are at a certain threshold ($30,000-$90,000). The first phase of this policy passed last night. This policy will initially be a term and condition of contracts in that threshold and staff will provide Council with quarterly updates on the policy’s impact, with the intention of extending the requirement to all General Service contracts with the City

Update December 2, 2010- Full Plates Project and Membership Event!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support Just Economics at our annual membership event on December 2nd!

The Full Plates exhibited at Phil Mechanics on December 2nd, pictured below, were painted by low- wage workers and low-income persons who are members of Just Economic’ Voices for Economic Justice program. The plates serve as windows into their lives, illustrating the day-to-day challenges of living on a low income. Each plate answers the question “What’s on your plate?” according to the artist’s own interpretation.

Update July 24, 2010 – Welcome New Executive Director Vicki Meath!

Vicki comes to Just Economics with a background in community organizing. She has worked on environmental, social and economic justice issues ranging from responsible oil and gas drilling to protecting health and human services in the Ohio state budget. In 2006 Vicki worked with Let Justice Roll and Cleveland Jobs with Justice on the successful campaign to raise the state minimum wage and continued to work with Jobs with Justice on the Cuyahoga County Living Wage Campaign and other worker justice issues. Vicki has a strong commitment to and passion for economic justice work. Vicki has a 9 year old daughter and has lived in the Asheville area for nearly 3 years. Since moving to Asheville, Vicki has worked at Tripp’s as a bartender. Vicki has been very involved in the Parent Team at Vance Elementary serving one year as Co-chair, and she recently bought a house in West Asheville. Outside of her work life, Vicki started a camping club, she plays on a recreational soccer team, and enjoys spending time with her daughter.

Update- June 24, 2010–Join JE for farewell celebration for Sarah Osmer

Join Just Economics as we celebrate the contributions of Sarah Osmer, who has served as Executive Director for the past three years.

All are invited to…
Sarah’s Farewell Party and Celebration
6-8 pm, Thursday, July 22nd
Hosted by the JE board at the home of Chris Berthiaume and Maggie Ullman
268 Hillside Street, Asheville
* Potluck – please bring a dish to share.

RSVP to Sophia at 505-7466 or sophiahatz@justeconomicswnc.org by July 15th to attend.
If you can’t attend, the Board encourages you to send Sarah a quick note about all her great work.

Sarah will leave Just Economics at the end of July to pursue a Masters in Public Administration at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Update April 8, 2010–Just Economics presents…

2:00 – 4:00 pm Saturday, June 19th
Outside of the Wedge Brewery
in the River Arts District, Asheville

Sample over a dozen of Asheville’s finest home brew beers!

Get a free commemorative tasting glass with the JE Brew Off logo!

Enter your best home brew to win special prizes!

Joining Just Economics at the $15 level gets you into the Brew Off!

Click here to join now.

Asheville City Council holds off on vote on living wage

Update December 2, 2009–Asheville City Council heard a report from City staff about a living wage policy for contractors at their final meeting of the current Council on November 24th. The staff report, given by Brenda Mills, included data from a survey conducted by the Chamber of Commerce, as well as some information about the potential legality and cost of the policy. After much discussion, Council decided to hold off on voting on the policy proposal because they still want a more accurate calculation of what the policy would cost the city, as well as information about best practices from the many cities that already have similar policies in place. We had the opportunity to speak during the public comment period. Several of our board and committee members expressed our concern about the long and drawn out timeline (after all, it’s been over two years since our first proposal to Council), as well a filled in many of the holes in research and data from the staff report.

All in all, this is a good outcome. The new Council, to be sworn in next week, will discuss the living wage issue at their retreat in January, and City staff will continue to collect the requested information to present to Council in the new year. We look forward to working with the new Council, as all of the newly elected members–Cecil Bothwell, Esther Manheimer, and Gordon Smith–support a living wage.

Thanks to everyone to came to show support at the Council meeting, and stay tuned for more news in the Living Wage Campaign.

Action alert: Asheville City Council to Consider Living Wage Again

Update November 19, 2009–Just Economics has just learned that Asheville City Council will consider a living wage proposal for City Contractors at their November 24 meeting. As you know, for the past two years we have been working hard to win a living wage for City Contractors, to go along with the living wage for city employees.

Here is our situation now: City staff will make a report to Council on the issue on November 24. We have not gotten to see the report, but we are concerned that it may NOT support a living wage for Contractors.

We need a strong showing from people who believe that City Contractors should earn a living wage. It is good that Council is considering this issue again, and we must make sure that they keep moving forward. At best, we can get positive action on November 24. And at the least, we can make sure that the incoming Council (to be sworn in early next month) is ready to make Asheville a real Living Wage City.

Come show your support for the Living Wage: Tuesday, November 24, 6 pm, City Council chambers in City Hall. Make Asheville a Living Wage City!

JE members, Certified Employers, and friends Shake Their Booty for the Bounty!

Update November 9, 2009–Our fall benefit–Shake Your Booty for the Bounty–was a big success! Fifty of our core members gathered over dinner to celebrate the work of JE this year, and look ahead to 2010. Then, the party started, with wonderful musical acts the Firefly Revival, the Secret B-Sides, and the world-class Firecracker Jazz Band. A select few of our 105 Living Wage Certified Employers also were showcased, and JE led the audience in Living Wage Trivia between sets. Over 150 folks came out to dance and support the work of Just Economics, for what was an energizing and fruitful event!

Thanks to everyone who came out to show their support, and to our event sponsors:

Mountain XPress, American Speedy Printing, Asheville Garage Door Service, Elizabeth Keel CPA, Asheville Wine Market, Asheville-Massage-Therapy.com, Century 21 Real Estate, Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism, Colorful Palate

Catering, Mosaic, Groce Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Green Casket Company, Dotson-Smith Law Office, Conservationpros.com, Corliss and Solomon PLLC, and Rob Stetson and Wesley Kilby of Farm Bureau Insurance.

Certification Program Expands to Transylvania County

Update September 17, 2009–Just Economics’ Living Wage Employer Certification Program has officially expanded from Buncombe County to include Transylvania County. JE and our local affiliate the Living Wage Coalition of Transylvania County marked the occasion with a kick-off event in Brevard last week. Seventeen employers in Transylvania County are part of the charter group of Certified employers:

Brevard Hearing Center * Brevard Housing Authority *Centro Comunitario Hispano-Americano * Jennings Builders Supply * Charles D. Lefler, MD * Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd * Dale A. Nash, MD * Plowden Hall Law Firm * Rosman United Methodist Church * Selica United Methodist Church * The Center for Dialogue * The Children’s Center * Transylvania Association for Disabled Citizens, Inc. * Transylvania Christian Ministry * Unitarian Universalists of Transylvania County * United Way of Transylvania County * WNC Community Action

We look forward to the program continuing to expand throughout Western North Carolina, as more employers show their leadership in creating a sustainable economy that works for all. Special thanks to all members of the Living Wage Coalition of Transylvania County for their leadership in organizing a festive and inspiring launch event! Stay tuned for more news from Transylvania County!

Minimum Wage Increases to $7.25/hour— still far from a living wage.

Update August 4, 2009–On July 24, the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 from $6.55/hour. This modest, 70 cent jump means that a full-time worker can earn as little as $14,500 a year, or the poverty threshold for a two-person family. So, even with hard work, millions of working people in our country find themselves in poverty, or teetering on the edge of it. This is all the more reason that we must continue to work towards a sustainable economy, one that restores the dignity to work and ensures workers earn a living wage.

We didn’t miss the opportunity to chime in on the latest minimum wage increase. Check out the two recent letters to the editor, which appeared in the Asheville Citizen Times:

“Minimum wage still not enough to live on,” July 26, 2009.

“Benefits of wage increase are wide and deep,” August 3, 2009.

Students educate campus about economic justice in first Chalk Fest event!

Update May 12, 2009—Warren Wilson students organized a campus-wide Chalk Fest event to educate their fellow students and faculty about economic justice. Dozens of students drew their image of economic justice or injustice in sidewalk chalk. College President Pfeiffer even joined in (see photo below). Special thanks to the Economic Justice Issue Workshop for pulling together this fun event! See below a sampling of the beautiful images created at Chalk Fest, and stay tuned…a similar event may be coming soon to your neighborhood this summer!

Low-wage workers complete second Voices class!

Update May 5, 2009–VOICES leaders celebrated completing JE’s Voices for Economic Justice Voices Celebration Leadership Development Program at Woodridge Apartments this past Saturday. These newly trained worker leaders were joined by their neighbors, and Just Economics board members and volunteers.

This class of Voices includes 16 workers from seven different countries: Russia, Moldovia, Ukraine, Belarussia, Honduras, Mexico and the U.S. Many of the Voices leaders will take an active role in leading the A-B Living Wage Campaign. They also built relationships with their neighbors across the barriers that often separate us—race, ethnicity, language, and gender.

Through this eight-week long workshop series, the VOICES leaders learned about the economy, developed leadership skills, and strategized about the changes they’d like to see in economic conditions affecting their lives.

Special thanks to those who provided delicious meals for VOICES–Jubilee, All Souls Cathedral, First Congregational UCC, Warren Wilson Economic Justice group, and Circle of Mercy. And, a shout out to our wonderful interpretation team that mastered tri-lingual simultaneous interpretation in English, Spanish, and Russian!

Paid Sick Days Campaign Comes to Asheville

Update April 20, 2009–We’re all likely to get sick this year but not all of us will be able to take a day off from work to get better. That’s because nearly half of North Carolina’s workers, 1.6 million people, lack a single paid sick day.

That’s why a broad coalition of organizations–including Just Economics–has come together to form the NC Paid Sick Days Campaign, which is pushing for passage of The Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act, (HB 177 and SB 534) to provide North Carolina workers with up to seven paid sick days annually. But we need your help. We can’t do it alone.

Paid Sick Days Town Hall Meeting
6:00 – 7:30 pm Thursday, April 23rd
Asheville United Way Building, Pamela Mills Turner Conference Room (50 S. French Broad Ave)

Come learn more about the growing movement to guarantee all workers the right to paid sick days in North Carolina. Hear from advocates working on the NC Paid Sick Days Campaign, and share your story with or without sick days.

For more information, visit www.ncsickdays.org.

2009 Living Wage Announced

Update March March 20, 2009—Just Economics has announced the 2009 Living Wage for Buncombe County. The Living Wage for this year is $11.35 an hour without benefits, or $9.85 an hour with employer-provided health insurance. The figure remains unchanged from last year, because the Consumer Price Index for Urban Workers (CPI) showed no change over the 12-month period. Just Economics sets the Living Wage for Buncombe County annually. Living Wage Certified Employers and others in the community use this as a guide for setting workers’ wages.

Spread the word, and if you haven’t already, encourage your employer to be Living Wage Certified.

Just Economics First Annual Membership Celebration A Success!

Update December 8, 2008–Last Thursday, 50 plus Just Economics membership and community supporters joined together at Living Wage Certified Employer Laurey’s Catering to celebrate the successes in the Asheville-Buncombe Living Wage Campaign, and plan for what’s to come in the growing local movement for a living wage and more sustainable local economy. Highlights of the evening included, the review of highlights in the work of JE provided by Coordinator Sarah Osmer, hearing from Board and committee members about what’s to come in 2009 for Just Economics, the delicious meal of Chicken Marbella provided by Laurey’s, farewell remarks from Steve Agan who will be going off the JE Board at the end of the year, and, of course, the raffle of items from Living Wage Certified and other local businesses. Thanks to everyone that helped make our first membership celebration a success! Here’s to many more to come. And, be sure the check out pictures from the celebration below, as well as the coverage of the event by the Asheville Citizen Times here.

JE Co-Sponsors Candidates’ Survey! Check out what the candidates say about the living wage issue…

Update October 8, 2008–Just Economics collaborated with Children’s First and other area non-profit organizations to co-sponsor a survey of local political candidates up for election this November. Candidates for the Board of County Commissioners, Board of Education, and State House and Senate weighed in in issues affecting children and families. Be sure the check out the candidates’ responses to question 5, which focuses on the living wage issues and economic opportunities for workers in our community.

Our hope as that voters will use the information provided in the survey to make a more informed decision as they cast their vote this coming election.

Click here to see the Candidates’ Survey, or visit Children’s First website for more information. Thanks to Children’s First for pulling off the survey!

Join VOICES FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE!

Update August 22, 2008–Just Economics is preparing to launch a new leadership development program for low-wage workers and low-income people called Voices for Economic Justice.

Voices is an eight-week popular education, empowerment based workshop series that combines concrete skills training and leadership development with education and analysis around economic issues. Through Voices we hope to connect with workers in the community that will lead us in our joint work for a more just local economy, and also give workers skills and knowledge they can use in their own lives and communities.For more information, click here. Spread the word, and sign up today, if appropriate.For those who would like to support Voices, we are looking for groups to prepare dinner for each session, and also monetary donations to cover the cost of materials and childcare.

Please contact Sarah Osmer at 828-301-7291 or sarahosmer(a)justeconomicswnc.org to sign up to help out.

Asheville Citizen-Times article highlights “economic deprivation” of the non-wealthy

Update July 7, 2008–A recent article in the Asheville Citizen-Times, “Economic deprivation of non-wealthy Americans continues” by George Yates, highlights the growing divide between the rich and the rest of us in the U.S. today. Yates’ article, though sobering, serves as an important reminder of the urgent need for living wages and economic fairness, and the necessity of work like ours that seeks to remedy the “economic deprivation” that’s affecting more and more Americans.

Highlights from Yates’ article include:

* The wealthiest 10% of Americans now own 63% of the U.S.’s total family assets, 80% of publicly issued U.S. stock, and they receive 90% of all dividends and capital gains, while the bottom 50% of Americans own about 2% of total family assets and no stock.

* The annual ‘real’ income of American families, compared to what it was eight years ago, has decreased by $1,224.

* 65% of Americans report that they live paycheck to paycheck.

* Following the real estate bubble “burst” in mid-2007, non-wealthy Americans switched to credit cards to obtain necessary cash–Total household debt over the last seven years has about doubled to a record $14 trillion.

Yates perfectly sums up the current state our our economy, and the need for economic justice work like ours, “The massive diversion of income to wealthy Americans during the last 7 years must be reversed to rescue non-wealthy Americans from deeper economic deprivation, and to prevent the United States from moving still closer to a despotism of the rich.”

Click here to see the full article.

Living Wage Certification “picking up steam!”

Update June 24, 2008– Asheville-area employers continue to sign up for Living Wage Certification. Since its launch just three months ago, forty-three businesses and non-profits have been certified, and new applications are submitted almost daily.

Most recently, Highland Brewery, one of Western North Carolina’s favorite beer makers, was certified. Other popular certified employers include–West End Bakery, Laurey’s Catering, and Asheville Wine Market, among many others.

Be sure to look for the “Living Wage Paid Here!” sticker in the store window of the businesses you patronize, and check out our Living Wage Certified Employers page for a full listing of certified employers.

And, if you haven’t seen it already, don’t miss the recent Mountain XPress article on the LW Certification program, “Living wage issue picking up steam.”

The Justice Tour a huge success!

Update April 23, 2008–Thanks to those who came out to support Just Economics and enjoy what was an incredible day of action and concert with Tom Morello and the rest of the Justice Tour gang!

The Justice Tour’s stop in Asheville helped elevate the work of Just Economics.

It also connected us to new folks in our community that care about economic justice and are motivated to make change from the bottom up, the kind of social change Tom Morello talks about in his music.

Almost 400 of you signed the new Living Wage Pledge, and all of the concert proceeds will go to support the work of Just Economics.

Click here for a link to Tom Morello’s blog post about the Asheville stop of the Justice Tour.