HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 4-e - Resolution Supporting North Carolina’s Working People and Their Families 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 21, 2019
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-e
SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting North Carolina's Working People and Their Families
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Resolution Penny Rich, Board Chair, 245-2130
PURPOSE: To consider a Resolution Supporting North Carolina's Working People and Their
Families.
BACKGROUND: Working people are currently struggling in an economy that does not work for
them. Public policy choices, not just market forces, dictate whether working people have access
to economic opportunities and benefit fairly from the work they perform.
The attached draft resolution expresses the Board of Commissioners position on several issues
to promote the well-being of North Carolina's workers and their families.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
resolution.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or
ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic
status.
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board:
1) consider approving and authorizing the Chair to sign the attached resolution; and
2) if approved, authorize the Clerk to the Board to send the signed resolution to Orange
County's legislative delegation.
2
RES-2019-030 DRAFT
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING NORTH CAROLINA'S WORKING
PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES
WHEREAS, North Carolina's everyday working people are currently struggling in
an economy that does not work for them and stagnant wages, public service
cuts, systemic discrimination and a weakened social safety net are the norm in
many communities; and
WHEREAS, public policy choices, not just market forces, dictate whether working
people have access to economic opportunities and benefit fairly from the work
they perform; and
WHEREAS, Orange County Government provides strong support for its
employees including a minimum living wage of $15 per hour for full time
permanent employees and $14.95 per hour for temporary employees, with plans
to be at or above $15 per hour for all employees by 2020; and
WHEREAS, North Carolinians need access to safe, green, living wage jobs, free
from harassment, violence and discrimination; and
WHEREAS, worker organizing, union membership, and collective bargaining
remain the most effective tools for working people to exercise their power on the
job and in the public sphere.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Orange County Board of
Commissioners, do hereby urge our legislative delegation to promote the well-
being of North Carolina's workers and their families by supporting:
• Legislation which provides paid family leave for workers in NC who want
or need to take parental leave, leave to care for sick family members, or to
meet other critical family needs;
• Legislation raising the minimum wage for all workers and a $15/hr
minimum wage for all state employees;
• Legislation that expands Medicaid coverage; and
• Legislation that empowers public employees to negotiate wages and other
conditions of their employment, such as repealing so called "right to work"
laws and extending the right to collective bargaining to public sector
employees.
This the 21st day of May 2019.
Penny Rich, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners