A “living wage” is the amount that an individual must be paid to afford his or her basic necessities, without public or private assistance. For example, the living wage for a single individual living in the Asheville area for 2008 is $11.35/hour.

Over the past two 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.