Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING LABOR DAY 2017 AS <br /> LIVING WAGE DAY IN ORANGE COUNTY <br /> WHEREAS,chronic poverty is the biggest challenge to sustainable, diverse,and healthy <br /> communities;and <br /> WHEREAS,the minimum wage has not increased in North Carolina beyond the federally <br /> mandated minimum of$7.25 set in 2009,which has lost nearly 10%of its value due to cost <br /> of living increases;and <br /> WHEREAS,the costs of housing,food,child care,and health care have increased <br /> substantially in the eight years since the federal minimum was last raised; and <br /> WHEREAS,many workers in Orange County make less than living wages; and <br /> WHEREAS,a living wage can lift workers out of poverty and towards the middle class;and <br /> WHEREAS,more workers with higher incomes can afford to live in Orange County and <br /> spend money locally; and <br /> WHEREAS,employers who pay their workers a living wage report substantially less <br /> turnover,better job performance,and higher levels of positive customer engagement;and <br /> WHEREAS,Orange County Living Wage has certified 126 employers who voluntarily pay a <br /> living wage and promotes those employers to the community to build a base of engaged, <br /> informed consumers who support living-wage-certified businesses and nonprofits;and <br /> WHEREAS,Orange County Living Wage plans a month-long campaign in September 2017 to <br /> encourage people to do business with living wage certified employers; and <br /> WHEREAS,Labor Day is a national holiday in recognition of the contributions of workers to <br /> our economy;and <br /> WHEREAS,Orange County,in honor of Labor Day,maintains its support of living wage <br /> efforts and businesses that provide a living wage to all their employees; <br /> NOW,THEREFORE,the Orange County Board of Commissioners,a living-wage-certified <br /> employer,does hereby proclaim Labor Day 2017 as Living Wage Day in Orange County and <br /> encourage consumers to support businesses paying their workers a living wage. <br /> This the 23rd day of August 2017. <br /> Uai-eDorosin, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />