Less than one-fourth of Asheville hospitality workers in a recent survey have paid sick leave, and 85% have gone to work sick.
Tag: just economics
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Food and beverage workers union eyes future growth
Asheville Food and Beverage United seeks to interrupt “the abusive culture that just keeps being perpetuated,’” explains Jen Hampton, the union’s lead organizer. Her work in the service industry spanned over 30 years, with the last 16 in Asheville.
Just Economics plans ‘two-tiered’ living wage system
Under the new system, similar to that employed by the national Living Wage For Us campaign, businesses could remain in the Living Wage Program if they agreed to an $18 hourly minimum wage and “committed annual increases” toward a $20.10 wage rate.
Just Brew It: AVL Beer Week anchor
Just Economics Executive Director Vicki Meath discusses the homebrew festival’s legacy and return to Beer Week.
Letter: Time for NC to raise the minimum wage
“No one should ever have to avoid doctors’ visits even when they were in great need because they couldn’t afford it and had no insurance, like my co-workers.”
Carolina Beer Guy: Just Brew It winners love the art of making beer
Heidi Dunkelberg and Jesse Latriano discuss their prize-winning beverages from the annual Just Economics fundraiser.
AVL Beer Week 2019: Reigning Just Brew It People’s Choice winner Janeen Hulbert
“I was floored when they called my name,” says the award-winning homebrewer. “I felt so humbled and thrilled that a beer I dreamed of and created was a hit.
Just Economics boosts Buncombe’s living wage rate
In early January, Just Economics raised its living wage rate for Buncombe County by 65 cents, to $12.15 per hour for workers with employer-provided health insurance and $13.65 for those without insurance.
News in brief: 2019 living wage, Henderson County school history program
Local nonprofit Just Economics increased its living wage rates for 2019. For those employees not offered employer-sponsored health insurance benefits, the new hourly rate is $13.65; for those offered health insurance, the new hourly rate is $12.15.
City Council greenlights transit service expansion
Asheville City Council unanimously approved an expansive new transit master plan on July 24 — a vote that drew applause from citizens sitting in the audience. The plan will increase the number of buses in the fleet to 36 (plus an extra 16 in reserve) and more than double the number of service hours to about 225,000 by 2029.
Homebuyers stymied by Asheville’s high cost look beyond the city limits
With the real estate market in Asheville becoming tighter and more expensive, homebuyers are increasingly looking outside the city, and oftentimes Buncombe County, to find a home that fits their budget.
Letter: Barely alive, making $7.25
“If Asheville wants to be serious about being progressive, about showing up for the members of our community and not just those passing through for the weekend, we need to push Raleigh to overturn the pre-emption law. “
Letter: Local government should better fund public transit
“We are calling for local government to ambitiously fund public transit in order to make our system run on time, all day and more often.”
Future transit efforts, concerns mirror Asheville’s past
Asheville as we know it today was built upon the back of its electric streetcar system, one of the largest networks of its time. As the city finds itself in a growth spurt once again, could its defunct trolley system provide some clues to Asheville’s transit future?
Screen scene: Local film news
Habitat Brewing hosts an MST3K-like screening, Pack Library celebrated Banned Book Month with a screening of the first Harry Potter film and more.
AVL Beer Week 2017: Events
AVL Beer Week 2017 presents a full roster of special releases, tap takeovers, festivals, dinners, parties and even some opportunities for yoga and bhangra dancing.
Labor pains: WNC unions at a crossroads
In Western North Carolina and across the country, labor unions seem to be a dying breed these days, and many local residents don’t seem overly concerned about it. Yet WNC’s complex history of unionization stretches back to the late 19th century. From high-profile labor disputes and the emergence of “right to work” laws to the […]
Mile by mile: Improving bus service could help alleviate Asheville’s food deserts
Expanded bus routes and hours could help more Asheville residents gain consistent access to healthy food. But a more effective city transit system may be a little way down the road.
Beer Scout: Just Brew It honorees discuss their award-winning beers
Swannanoa homebrewer Aaron Fish earned two awards while the Mills River team of Jesse Helm and Tyler Perry were crowned Kings of the Mountain by the Xpress judges.
Beer Scout: Summer festivals highlight hometown beers and brewers
Fonta Flora Brewery’s State of Origin festival and the Just Brew It homebrew tasting and competition showcase local brewers and ingredients.
Transportation activist group aims to extend evening ART service
At a rally on Tuesday, Jan. 26, the group People’s Voice on Transportation Equality revealed the results of two surveys. Both surveys showed that the top priority of transit users is an extension of bus service into evening hours. Business owners surveyed also supported an extension, saying it would bring them more customers.