With poor wages and working conditions a major problem in Asheville, Labor Day is an excellent time to look at some changes Above: The fight for the eight-hour working day rallied workers around the world. Image via Wikimedia. It’s Labor Day. In Asheville it’s a day off for some, a

As pushes for higher wages increase, can Asheville pass its own minimum wage? A look at the legal questions and political battles over a key issue Above: Raise Up for 15 protesters near the Biltmore Avenue Hardee’s in April. Partly inspired by that regional labor movement, some locals are now pressing

While Council is set to pass a budget tonight, it will still be months before it’s clear if all city workers will actually get a living wage Above: the description of a U.S. Cellular Center job from the city of Asheville’s website last year, paying below a living wage. Asheville

If Ashevillians had any doubt about the impact of the hotel industry, the entitled whining of its representatives over the room tax reveals their oblivious greed Above: The Hyatt Place hotel under construction on Haywood Street, one of several going up in downtown. The recent Asheville Citizen-Times column penned by Michael

The city budget rolls out, with uncertainty over a living wage increase, a survey reveals mixed opinions on the city’s performance and Council divides with developers over housing incentives Above: Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell, file photo by Max Cooper The summer is often the meat of the city’s political

Federal statistics puncture myths about Asheville’s wages, which are staying stagnant, rising slowly or even declining in key sectors as the cost of living sharply increases Above: The skyline of downtown Asheville. Photo by Max Cooper. Every May, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics releases detailed breakdowns of pay for

Locals resent the hotel boom because it represents and furthers the worst aspects of today’s Asheville. What’s behind the anger, and what it means Above: The BB&T building, future site of an ‘upper-upscale hotel’ First it was “upscale,” then “boutique” and “luxury.” Now we have “upper-upscale.” That’s what the developers of

Local groups rally around labor, public housing, immigrants’ rights, fair wages and more to mark May Day in a changing Asheville Above: A red flag flies above the crowd gathered at Asheville’s May Day rally as protesters listen to speakers talk about labor and social justice issues. Photo by Max

Asheville’s food service workers mobilize to demand better conditions, protection for their rights and a share of a booming industry Above: The image of the Asheville Sustainable Restaurant Workforce, designed by Jessi Steelman. On the cold, blustery afternoon of Feb. 23 about 15 people gathered at the West Asheville Public

Despite the regard given them by local government, the Downtown Association has some very controversial positions and only speaks for a sliver of this changing area. Who actually represents the city’s core is a much larger — and overdue — question. Above: Fireworks over downtown Asheville, photo by Bill Rhodes.