In 2015 the Alachua County Labor Coalition kicked off a campaign to get the largest employers in Alachua County to pay a living wage to their workers. Simply put, a living wage would set the starting pay at a livable wage. We believe anyone who who works should be able to support themselves and their families off their wages alone! Since the start of this campaign we’ve seen wage increases at:
- at UF from $10 to $12 in 2016 and to $13 an hour in 2018.
- OPS and contracted workers are still paid below this standard.
- for Alachua County School Board workers from around $8 an hour to over $10 an hour in 2017.
- for City of Gainesville workers to $12.25 an hour in 2016, $12.75 an hour in 2017, and $13.50 an hour in 2018.
- Contracted workers are still paid below this standard. The ACLC is working to correct this issue.
- at Nationwide insurance to $15 an hour in 2016.
- for workers for the Alachua County government to $12 an hour in 2016, $12.50 in 2017, and $13.50 an hour in 2018.
- Contracted, temporary, and part time workers are all paid this standard.
- at Santa Fe College to $12 an hour in 2018.
- Part time and contract workers are not paid this standard.
All workers deserve a livable wage. With the federal government unable to increase the minimum wage due to obstructionist elements in Congress we must act locally in whatever capacity we can. By pressuring the largest employers to pay a living wage it will not only lift thousands out of poverty but it will also create pressure in the labor market to increase all workers’ pay.
To get involved in the campaign for a living wage in Alachua County please join us at our monthly meetings or send us an email at info@laborcoalition.org.