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ABC INITIATIVES
Forsyth Living Wage
A living wage is defined as the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet his or her basic needs.
Living wages benefit workers, employers, and our local community overall.
The living wage movement is based on the premise that wages should keep workers and their families above a minimum standard of living. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has not changed since 2009, leaving many workers struggling to make ends meet. Workers in Forsyth County with salaries at, or even slightly above minimum wage, are forced to make difficult choices each day, such as buying food or paying rent, filling a prescription or the gas tank. If these workers earned a living wage, rather than the legal minimum of $7.25 per hour, many would be lifted out of poverty.
The Asset Building Coalition champions the idea of a livable wage as a tool to achieve greater financial stability for more people in our community. We believe that any potential solutions must take a person’s entire financial situation and family composition into account, including the public benefits they receive.
Benefits of a Living Wage
Attracts potential employees
Lowers employee turnover
Boosts employee productivity
Improves morale, attendance, and customer relations
Lifting pay boosts our local economy.
States that have raised their minimum wage are adding jobs at a faster pace than those that did not. And low-wage workers tend to spend nearly every dollar they earn for goods and services closer to home. Every extra dollar going into the pockets of low-wage workers has the potential to add even more to the regional economy.
The Living Wage Committee of the ABC is working to learn more about the local dynamics around a living wage, engage more people in our community in the living wage conversation, and identify key advocacy goals that our Coalition can pursue together.
Committee Meetings
Fourth Wednesday of the month from 3:00-4:30 pm
Committee Members
- Committee Chair: Bill Lawler, Community Member
- Chad Craver, Crossroads Human Capital
- Kristine Elliott, Trellis Support
- Lori Fuller, Fuller Impact
- Bill Green, Forsyth Tech Community College
- Kyle Haney, Forsyth County Housing and Community Development
- Kaisha McDermott-Carter, Community Member
- Elizabeth Miller, Parenting PATH
- Kelly Mitter, Habitat for Humanity
- Tasia Wilson, HUSTLE Winston-Salem
- Magalie Yacinthe, Winston-Salem Hustle
Contact Us
More information coming soon!
Resources
Forsyth Living Wage Employer Certification Program
In late 2021, The ABC will launch the Forsyth Living Wage Employer Certification Program, which will recognize local businesses and organizations who pay a locally-calculated living wage. Program goals include:
- Recognize local employers who pay their workers a living wage.
- Provide employers with an incentive to pay a living wage.
- Create community recognition and support of living wage employers.
- Increase local awareness of wage inequity.
- Promote a local living wage movement by working to certify more employers.
Recent Committee News
COMING SOON —
Blog posts about recent committee news and updates are coming soon!