CHARLOTTE – George Dunlap fought back tears as he announced Feb. 5 that his colleagues on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners decided to increase starting salaries for full-time staff to $15 an hour.
“At our retreat, our board of commissioners decided that if we are to push for a minimum wage, we ought to set an example,” Dunlap said, noting the change becomes effective Feb. 13.
Here’s what other commissioners said about the change:
Susan B. Harden, District 5
“It’s an incredible thing that we raised the minimum wage, but I’m moved by (Dunlap’s) response to that. I think it’s indicative of the benefits of what that retreat brought forward and the powerful precedent that this sets for our community.”
Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, District 6
“I’m really thankful that we were able to take such swift action, and we all were in such like-minded agreement about this issue. We didn’t let the grass grow under anybody. I’m just really thrilled about how fast we were able to make this happen.”
Vilma Leake, District 2
“We have people right here in this building that work for the city on the 11th floor that make $7.25 an hour and that’s nothing but perpetuating poverty. And you’ve heard me talk about it repeatedly. Why are we sitting here in a building perpetuating poverty? So I want to say to those of us – the eight of us who had the courage when some people said no – we didn’t even need to have a retreat.”
Mark Jerrell, District 4
“This is an emotional moment for a lot of us because a lot of people who are going to be impacted look like us. Its very very important to us to make sure we lead by example.”
Ella Scarborough, At-Large
“When ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me. I think we hear that and we say it, but this is an example of it.”
Pat Cotham, At-Large
“I hope that we can down the road – hopefully soon – include our part-time workers, as well, because many of them are working other jobs and struggling. … Having a living wage is something that is critical.”
Elaine Powell, District 1
“We are here, we are listening to the people. We listened all along the campaign trail and there’s passion here.”
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