Q&A with Emma Hutchens, Living Wage Program Coordinator

“Now, more than ever before, I see an opportunity for society to shift its values to more deeply support the wellbeing of people and planet over profit.”

— Emma Hutchens

Sustainability isn’t only about planting trees or clean energy.

It’s about people, too. Which is just one reason we’re thankful for Just Economics, an Asheville-based nonprofit that advocates for economic justice in Western NC.

Even if you’re not familiar with Just Economics, it’s likely you’ve heard of their Living Wage program. The popular program certifies local employers who commit to paying wages at or above what research shows individuals need to afford basic necessities.

The program helps both the public and those seeking employment trust that a business is taking care of their employees.

We chatted with Emma Hutchens, the Living Wage Program Coordinator, to learn more about the program, how it relates to sustainability, and how anyone can get involved with supporting their vital community work.

Q&A with Emma Hutchens, Living Wage Program Coordinator

I read that the Just Economics Living Wage Program is the largest of its kind in the country. Amazing! What’s the mission of the program, and how does it work?

Thank you! Our mission is to educate, advocate, and organize for a just and sustainable local economy that works for all in Western North Carolina. Every year, we calculate the Living Wage rate using the Universal Living Wage Formula which is based on HUD data and local Fair Market Rent. We publicize the Living Wage rates for Buncombe and other WNC counties and local businesses who are willing to pay all of their full and part time workers a living wage fill out a brief application to become living wage certified. The application is vetted by the Certification Committee and, once approved, added to our online, Living Wage Business Directory.

What’s your role in the program, and what inspires this work for you?

I’m the Living Wage Program Coordinator with Just Economics. I love this work because I have a passion for small businesses AND social justice. I love working with workers and employers to find solutions that support worker’s livelihoods and strengthen businesses over time.

What’s something you’re working on right now (or you’ve recently worked on) that you’re really excited about?

Over the last year, Just Economics has been advocating for the City of Asheville and Buncombe County to pass paid family and medical leave policies for their workers. This would make a huge difference for City and County employees and would also model this practice for employers in the region. We also passed a living wage rate for the rural WNC Counties outside of Buncombe - you can learn more about the Living Wage Rates across the region HERE.

Since the COVID-19 crisis began, Just Economics has shifted some of our work to compiling resources for businesses and workers on the What’s Happening page of our website. Workers and business owners are really struggling during this time and we want to do everything we can to connect people to the resources they need. The list is updated daily.

We believe the work y’all do at Just Economics is inextricably linked to sustainability. Our planet is only as healthy as our people… and our people are only as healthy as our planet. But the dominant conversation around climate change doesn’t always seem to take that view. Can you share a little bit about how you see the work of the Living Wage Program fitting into the larger work we need to do as a community around sustainability?

We agree! In addition to working on living wages, we also work on transit and affordable housing because all of these issues affect the livelihoods of local people and the local economy. Transit, housing and development have a huge environmental impact too!

In general, the word “sustainability” means the ability to sustain or to keep going. A big part of that, as we’re seeing in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, has to do with taking care of people and building a strong community that can be resilient together. People are not being affected by this crisis equally (just like people are not affected by climate change equally) - people who live in poverty will struggle more than those with savings or inherited wealth, people without homes cannot shelter in place and folks who were considered “unskilled workers” undeserving of a living wage a couple of months ago are now being called “essential workers” - many of whom are working for the same pay as before COVID-19 with no health insurance, sick leave or PTO and who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. We can take better care of people and in this moment, we are seeing more clearly how much that matters.

Imagine: it’s 2030, and our community has really come together in a beautiful way in the past decade to create the world we want to live in. What are some images that come to mind for you?

Now, more than ever before, I see an opportunity for society to shift its values to more deeply support the wellbeing of people and planet over profit. I hope in the near future that all people have access to living wage jobs and dignity in the workplace; that there are policies promoting quality of life overall for all people; workplaces have fair and just practices because employers and employees are organized as partners in relationships based on their mutual, interdependent interests; low-wage jobs are a thing of the past because all workers are valued, and all workers have the power to speak their interests, and are organized with allies from across socio-economic groups and political causes.

I also dream of a world where wealth has been democratized and redistributed, where there are more thriving democratice workplaces, worker-owned cooperatives and mutual aid initiatives that center community care and sovereignty. I believe that this new world could be closer than we ever thought.

And last, how can local folks get involved and support the Living Wage Program and Just Economics?

If you are a business owner who is interested in becoming living wage certified, you can learn more on our website: https://www.justeconomicswnc.org/application.html

Everyone can follow us on Facebook for updates about workshops and events.

Or sign up for our newsletter.

You can also sign up to become a member of Just Economics: https://www.justeconomicswnc.org/join.html

And follow the regularly updated resources for businesses and workers on the What’s Happening page of our website.