Although the City of Charlottesville passed a living wage ordinance ensuring that municipal workers and contracted employees receive a minimum wage of $11.44 per hour, the University of Virginia currently guarantees its employees a minimum wage of only $10.14 per hour. To make matters worse, some workers employed by firms contracting with the University earn far less than this amount and often don't receive any benefits.
We often think of U.Va. as a boon for the local economy - the University provides jobs to many of Charlottesville's residents and attracts tourists who spend their money here. Yet when the University allows some of its workers to earn less than a living wage, it puts additional strains on the budgets of city and state government and local charities. For example, you will find many University employees at area food banks, public clinics, and applying for heating assistance during the winter. Were these people to earn a living wage, not only would they be able to pay for bare necessities like food and health care, they would also be able to spend more of their money at our local businesses.
Marguerite Beattie\nCLAS II
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