A LIVING WAGE

• The wage needed for one to maintain a safe,

decent standard of living

• Benefits also include more consumer spending,

lower tax subsidies needed, higher productivity

• $12.17/hour for Durham

• Durham a leader

DURHAM LIVING WAGE TIMELINE

1998

City living wage

(LW) ordinance

(employees and

contractors, non-

indexed)

1998-2000

Durham City

LW for Jobs

Incentives

Post-2004

City LW

indexed

2005, 2007Duke University

increases

minimum wage

for employees,

then contractors

2008

DPS LW

ordinance for

contractors

2013

NC legislature passes

and Governor signs HB

74, which prohibits

contractor requirements

2003

Williams v. Blue Cross

Blue Shield prohibits

local gov’t

requirements of

private employers

2004

County LW

ordinance

(employees and

contractors,

indexed)

WHAT DID NOT CHANGE

• No comprehensive local living wage permitted

But…

• Living wage for City/County/DPS employees

• Living wage requirement for City Jobs Incentives

• Organizing in the private sector

WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE?

• Optional criteria for City/County public contracts?

• Mandatory or optional criteria for City/County

capital investment incentives?

• Voluntary Living Wage certification program?

• Win back the legislature and Governor’s mansion

VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS

Support local businesses, including those

voluntarily paying living wages

SPECIAL THANKS

• Kevin Dick, Director, OWED

• Marqueta Welton, Deputy County Manager

• Steve Schewel, City Council

• Frank Hyman, Consultant

• Sabine Schoenbach, NC Justice Center

• Leon Grodski de Barrera, Areli Barrera de Grodski,

and Susie Zadeh, Cocoa Cinnamon

• PA Economic Inequality Team