Asheville/Buncombe Living Wage Campaign Endorsing Organizations Affordable Housing Coalition of Asheville and Buncombe County Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 128 American Postal Workers Union, Local 277 Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters Asheville-Buncombe Education Coalition Asheville National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Children First of Buncombe County Baptist Ministers Union Christian Action Committee of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Asheville Christians for a United Community Circle of Mercy Coalicion de Organizaciones Latino-Americanas (COLA), Asheville Congregation Beth HaTephila Housing Authority of the City of Asheville International Association of Firefighters (IAF), Local 865 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 238 Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance MICAH Institute Mountain BizWorks (formerly Mountain Microenterprise Fund) National Organization for Women - Asheville Chapter North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys-Buncombe County Chapter Pisgah Legal Services Residents Council of the Asheville Housing Authority Social Action Committee of the Asheville Unitarian Universalist Congregation St. Matthias Episcopal Church Teamsters, Local 61 Warren Wilson College Career Resource Center Western North Carolina Central Labor Council Western North Carolina Worker's Center Working Families Win Living Wage Certification Program Join us for the launch of our Living Wage Employer Certification Program Thursday, March 13, 2008 6:00-7:30 PM Laurey's Catering, 67 Biltmore Ave, Asheville Celebrate with food and beverages and a short program. Living Wage Employer Certification Brochure and Sign-Up Form 2008 Asheville Buncombe Living Wage Asheville Buncombe Living Wage Campaign The purpose of the Asheville/Buncombe Living Wage Campaign is to educate and engage residents of Asheville and Buncombe County in support of a living wage ordinance in Asheville and Buncombe County and an increase in North Carolina's minimum wage. Proposed Living Wage Ordinance (PDF Format) Frequently Asked Questions (PDF Format) Endorsing Organizations What is the current living wage for Asheville and Buncombe County? The living wage for a single individual living in the Asheville/Buncombe area for 2008 is $22,700 per year, or $11.35/hour for someone working a 40-hour week for 50 weeks per year.  For full and part-time workers with employer provided health insurance, the wage is $19,700 per year for a single individual, or $9.85/ hour. How is Living Wage Calculated? This figure begins with the baseline “living wage” of $10.86/hour (or $9.36 with health benefits) calculated in 2007.  The baseline living wage was derived from the Fair Market Rent for a one bedroom apartment, in the Asheville Area, as determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  It is generally understood that when individuals and families spend more than 30% of their income on housing, it becomes difficult if not impossible, to remain economically self-sufficient.  The living wage figure is determined assuming an individual works 40 hours a week, 50 weeks of the year.  The living wage for a family is significantly higher. Our baseline living wage figure is adjusted annually to reflect the rising cost of living using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Workers (CPI-UW). Why do we need a living wage in Asheville and Buncombe County?  Deep in the American tradition is the belief that hard work leads to economic independence. Unfortunately, this is simply not true for many Americans.  In the last 30 years, the income needed to afford the very basic necessities of living has far outpaced wage compensation in this country. Today's federal minimum wage of $5.15 an hour is worth less than when it was last raised by Congress in 1997, adjusted for inflation.  Data from the 2003 census suggests that half (49.2%) of North Carolina families are unable to earn enough income to meet basic needs (from the NC Budget & Tax Center of the NC Justice Center).  Recently a group of organizations and individuals has come together to help the residents of Asheville and Buncombe County address this growing problem of wage disparity. Fortunately, many government officials are already aware of the problem.  Recently, Buncombe County Commissioners adopted changes in their tax incentive packages to attract businesses that pay living wages.  The NC Legislature has recently passed a bill to raise North Carolina's minimum wage to $6.15. In addition to these worthy efforts, we believe that Asheville and Buncombe County could join the 134 other jurisdictions around the country that have passed living wage ordinances.  These laws require that jobs supported by tax dollars pay wages that make it possible for workers and their families to live in the communities they serve with their labor. Our Goals Our baseline living wage figure is adjusted annually to reflect the rising cost of living using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Workers (CPI-UW). The Asheville/Buncombe Living Wage Campaign wants to work with the community, our representatives, and economic data to determine a reasonable living wage standard that could be adopted by our local governments.  Believing that living wages actually strengthen our local economy, we also want to find ways to support and encourage private business to help close the widening gap between work and economic independence. Get Involved! If you, or your organization, is interested in being part of the Asheville/ Buncombe Living Wage Campaign, call (828) 301-7291 or send an e-mail to info@ashevillelivingwage.org. Living Wage Certified Employers