Just Economics of WNC

09/09/2026

What an awesome week for worker power! On Monday, we celebrated Labor Day at the Canton Parade with the WNC Central Labor Council! Yesterday, we participated in a multi-state day of action with WeCount's Planting Justice Campaign with a delagation of faith leaders and partner organizations to deliver the report "The Human Cost of Houseplants" and hundreds of petition signatures to the headquarters of Costa Farms demanding better working conditions for farmworkers.

Tomorrow, we're excited to cohost a screening in Hendersonville of the film Without Shade, Without Rest that looks at the fight for heat protections for farm workers in Florida. We hope you'll join us!

09/07/2026

"North Carolina is consistently ranked among America’s top states for business. But a new ranking by Oxfam lists the state dead last in this year’s 2026 Best States to Work Index.

Oxfam, a global nonprofit focused on poverty and inequality, examined 37 policies including wages, worker protections, and the right to organize to determine which states do the best job of supporting workers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

'This year, while workers are facing extraordinary economic hardship, we looked at how far wages go toward the cost of living for a family of four,' said Patricia Stottlemyer, Oxfam America’s policy director. 'In North Carolina, the minimum wage of $7.25 only meets 19% of the cost of living.'

Stottlemyer notes that North Carolina has not raised its minimum wage since 2009, while neighboring Virginia raised its hourly minimum wage to $12.77 per hour this year and passed legislation to increase the minimum wage to $13.75 per hour January 1, 2027."

North Carolina is ranked among "America’s Top States for Business.” But a new ranking by Oxfam lists the state dead last in this year's 2026 Best States to Work Index.

09/07/2026

Unions and worker organizing paved the way for the worker protections and standard working conditions of today. On Labor Day, we remember the sacrifices and courage of labor organizers throughout history, we celebrate the many wins that workers fought for and we remember how far we still have to go - from raising the minimum wage and strengthening child labor laws, to heat protections for farm workers and solutions to common issues like discrimination, wage theft and union busting - the fight continues!

09/04/2026

Next Thursday September 10th, Just Economics is cohosting a film screening of Without Shade Without Rest in Hendersonville with El Centro of Henderson County, Indivisible Henderson County, Progressive Alliance of Henderson County, The League of Women Voters Henderson County, Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina and Working Films.

The film examines the fight for heat protections for outdoor workers in Florida in the wake of the hottest year on record, where rising temperatures collide with new political restrictions. https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/977437/

09/02/2026

Just Economics was selected as a participating organization with the Birdies for Charity initiative of the Biltmore Championship in Asheville this year. Did we have to look up what a birdie was? We did. Are we grateful to be among the recipients of this initiative? We are!

Donate to to Just Economics and guess the number of birdies made during the Biltmore Championship Asheville. The individual who guesses the exact number of birdies or closest to (without going over) will receive the Ultimate Biltmore Experience! Contest runs until September 16, 2026.

Check it out and participate at: https://p2p.onecause.com/biltmorebfc/charity/just-economics

09/01/2026

Calling all workers! The WNC Workers Assembly meets this Thursday at 5:30pm. Meet other workers and build skills and community for a future rooted in dignity, fairness, and worker power!

To join for the first time fill out the interest form: bit.ly/WNCWorkersAssembly2026

08/31/2026

Today is the last day of our Summer fundraising campaign and the Vicki Meath Legacy Fund and we've almost met our goal! Donations received through the end of the day today will continue to be matched by a group of generous donors.

Visit justeconomicswnc.org/donate to support JE as we move int a new chapter!

08/28/2026

Today is Vicki Meath's official last day at Just Economics. She served as Executive Director for the past 16 years and in that time she has made incredible contributions to this community and to Western North Carolina as a region. Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate her last night and thank you to Vicki for everything you've done for Just Economics for this community. We miss you already, but we're pretty sure we'll be seeing you around!

08/26/2026

Tomorrow, the Asheville NNU is taking action, speaking out against Palantir and demanding patients over profits!