1. 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

2. DURHAM LIVING WAGE TIMELINE
1998
City living wage
(LW) ordinance
(employees and
contractors, nonindexed)
2003
Williams v. Blue Cross
Blue Shield prohibits
local gov’t
requirements of
private employers
1998-2000
Durham City
LW for Jobs
Incentives
Post-2004
City LW
indexed
2004
County LW
ordinance
(employees and
contractors,
indexed)
2008
DPS LW
ordinance for
contractors
2005, 2007
Duke University
increases
minimum wage
for employees,
then contractors
2013
NC legislature passes
and Governor signs HB
74, which prohibits
contractor requirements

3. 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

4. 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

5. VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS
Support local businesses, including those
voluntarily paying living wages

6. 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
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