Despite misinformation and outright lies, you have a legal right to talk about how much you’re paid. Given Asheville’s catastrophically low wages, it’s time for this culture of silence to end Above: Tupelo Honey’s downtown location. Last year, following wage cuts for support staff at the booming chain, workers launched

Tupelo Honey is touted as an Asheville success story. But some workers say that hides a reality of wage cuts and worsening conditions. Now they’re pushing back Above: Tupelo Honey’s original downtown location UPDATE, Jan. 11: Following the public campaign and Blade investigation, wage cuts for Tupelo Honey support staff

After months of wrangling, Council passes a living wage for all city workers. The bond companies also weigh in, with a very different vote of confidence Above: Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell. File photo by Max Cooper. Two matters of money dominated the relatively short Sept. 22 Asheville City

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

A budget, housing and monuments take center stage at the last Council meeting before the summer break, with more on the horizon Above: Asheville City Council member Gwen Wisler. File photo by Max Cooper. The spring and early summer are typically a big time for local politics. City government —

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