November 15, 2021
Dear Living Wage Employer,
Workers have done their part to stock our groceries, fix our cars, and care for our children while rents keep rising and a pandemic persists. Add this to a federal minimum wage that hasn’t budged since 2009, and the picture seems bleak for hourly workers.
Orange County’s 220 living wage-certified employers recognize the necessity of wages that actually work for their employees. Even during the pandemic, Orange County Living Wage (OCLW) added 44 employers to our roster of local employers who pay $15.40 per hour, or $13.90 if they offer healthcare coverage.
Because ‘essential’ workers should be paid enough to afford their essentials.
When an employer certifies with OCLW, we calculate the total amount they raised wages to meet the living wage threshold. Since our inception in 2015, that total is $1.85 million, with over $900,000 from 2021 wage increases alone. It’s money that helps people pay rent, buy food, and afford healthcare, with the dollars often spent here in Orange County.
“Being paid a living wage tells me the owner is trying to make sure we're financially secure, that we're happy with our job. I'm finally able to pay all my bills, pay down my credit card debt and put money towards a down payment on an apartment.” – Ben Proctor, Busser, Glasshalfull
Will you join us in recognizing the importance of living wages and the work we do by making an end-of-year donation to Orange County Living Wage? Since 2015 we’ve built the living wage movement locally through our:
- certification program that calculates the living wage based on average area rents and recognizes employers who pay it
- website, social platforms, media outreach and events to promote living wages
- living wage Jobs Board, a go-to spot for employers looking to fill positions and workers seeking good-paying jobs
OCLW is powered primarily by volunteers but we need your help to sustain this work. You can make a tax-deductible donation by check using the enclosed envelope or by visiting our website at orangecountylivingwage.org/donate. OCLW is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
Thank you for helping to advance living wages and an equitable economy in Orange County!
Susan Romaine
Chair, Orange County Living Wage
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