HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-18-2024; 8-d - Living Wage Day Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 18, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-d
SUBJECT: Living Wage Day Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Jamezetta Bedford, BOCC Chair, 919-
245-2130
Andrea Cash, Orange County Living
Wage
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating September 2, 2024, Labor Day, as Living
Wage Day in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Orange County Living Wage (OCLW), a 501(c)3 charitable organization, is a
volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization that certifies, recognizes, and promotes Orange County
businesses that pay a living wage and assists workers seeking living wage jobs. OCLW's roster
features 260 employers who voluntarily pay a living wage, including Orange County Government.
OCLW promotes those employers locally to build a base of engaged, informed consumers who
support living-wage-certified businesses and nonprofits.
OCLW has requested that the Board consider a proclamation designating September 2, 2024,
Labor Day, as Living Wage Day in Orange County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal associated with
consideration of the proclamation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with consideration of the proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation.
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
LIVING WAGE DAY
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, chronic poverty is one of the biggest challenges to sustainable, diverse, and
healthy communities; and
WHEREAS, the costs of housing, food, childcare, transportation, and healthcare have
increased substantially since the federal minimum wage of$7.25/hour was last raised in
2009; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is one of just 16 states that have not adjusted their $7.25
minimum wage, even for inflation, over the past fifteen years; and
WHEREAS, the current living wage in Orange County is $17.65 per hour, more than
$10/hour higher than the state and federal minimums; and
WHEREAS, many workers in Orange County earn less than living wages and are living
in poverty despite full-time employment; and
WHEREAS, higher wages create more opportunities for those who work in Orange
County to live here and enjoy shorter commutes that free up time for recreation, family,
and community; and
WHEREAS, employers who pay their workers a living wage report substantially less
turnover and absenteeism, better job performance, and more positive customer
engagement; and
WHEREAS, Orange County Living Wage, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, currently
has 260 employers on its directory who voluntarily pay a living wage and promotes them
locally to build a base of engaged,informed consumers who support living-wage-certified
businesses and nonprofits; and
WHEREAS, Labor Day is a national holiday in recognition of the contributions of
workers to the economy and broader community;
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of
Orange County Government as a living-wage-certified employer, do hereby proclaim
September 2, 2024, Labor Day, as Living Wage Day in Orange County and encourage
consumers to support businesses paying their workers a living wage.
This the 18th day of June, 2024.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners