Press release from Just Economics of WNC:
Just Economics has relaunched its Living Wage Certification program and reopened the application for Buncombe County Living Wage Certification. Just Economics’ board and staff spent the last several months evaluating the certification program and making some changes to address combined needs of a workforce fighting to keep up with a high cost of living and the hardships for businesses presented by COVID-19, including an option for businesses to request an extended timeline to adjust to the new living wage rate.
As announced earlier this year, the 2021 Buncombe County living wage rate was calculated at $17.30/hour or $15.80/hour for employees with employer provided health insurance. The Buncombe County Living Wage Rate is recalculated at the end of each year using the Universal Living Wage Formula based on the cost of housing, using Federal Fair Market Rent (FRM) data.
“Despite the difficulties that businesses and workers are experiencing due the pandemic, the cost of housing in Buncombe County remains high, which explains why we’ve seen a steady increase in the Living Wage Rate over the past three years” said Emma Hutchens, Just Economics’ Living Wage Program Coordinator. “Just Economics understands that the current economic conditions are difficult for workers and businesses alike.”
“The US Federal minimum wage hasn’t increased in 12 years and it’s widely understood that $7.25 isn’t an equitable wage floor” says Vicki Meath, Just Economics’ Executive Director. “The living wage rate is intended to help guide businesses as they adjust their wages over time and help the community at large begin to understand how much workers need to be making in order to live in Buncombe County.”
Over the course of this year, Just Economics will be operating the Living Wage Certification Program in much the same way as before the pandemic, including the option for businesses to apply for a 1 year certification at the 2020 rate ($15.50/ hour or $14.00/ hour with employer provided health benefits) or a 2 year certification at the 2021 rate ($17.30/hour or $15.80/hour for employees with employer provided health benefits). One change to the program will allow businesses the option to apply for an extended timeline of up to 6 months to adjust to the new living wage rate while remaining certified.
Just Economics’ board, staff and Certification Committee will be spending the next twelve months continuing to evaluate the certification program’s internal policies and reassessing the method currently used to calculate the living wage rate. The organization will be releasing a number of educational materials, workshops and listening sessions about wages, housing costs and how to take action on these issues. Just Economics welcomes input from workers, employers and the public as they continue to adapt and reshape the program over the coming year.
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