CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte city workers are demanding better pay, urging city leaders to make their wages a priority in the upcoming budget.
Workers rallied outside Monday's Charlotte City Council meeting to make their voices heard. Several of them went inside and spoke during the meeting. While some speakers acknowledged previous raises, the group says there wasn't enough of an increase to keep up with the cost of living in Charlotte, so they're now asking for more.
Specifically, they want a 6% raise and a $25 minimum wage.
"I'm going to work hard each and every day and go to work each and every day, but I want to be compensated for what I do," Roy Pegram, who works for the city's solid waste department, said.
Employees are also asking for a bigger employer contribution to their 401(k)s so they can afford to retire. City officials proposed a 1.5-cent increase in property taxes earlier this year. Part of that could be used to raise wages.
Other people are coming forward in support of affordable housing and the "people's budget."
City leaders recently proposed a $100 million bond toward the city's Housing Trust Fund, but some say $25 million should be used to increase accessibility to homeownership.
"Homeownership, value, pride, self-worth, wealth to thrive, not just to survive," Angela James, an advocate for the Redress Movement, said.
Advocates say funneling money toward helping more people own their homes could be a long-term solution for Charlotte's affordable housing crisis, as people continue to be priced out of the Queen City.
"Partners like the West Side Community Land Trust would enable the city to encourage generational and community wealth through home ownership and not only rentals," Holy Trinity Lutheran Church pastor Emily Hartner said.
The council said the purpose of Monday's hearing was to receive community feedback on the budget. Leaders could make changes to the proposal before a final vote on June 10.
Contact Destiny Richards at drichards5@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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