CHARLESTON, S.C.—After losing almost one-fifth of its workforce this year, the city of Charleston is
planning to raise the minimum wage for municipal employees from $11.50 an hour to $12. “We’re trying to stay somewhat competitive so we’re not losing more employees,” Chief Financial Officer Amy Wharton told the Charleston Post and Courier. “We’re losing a lot of drivers to the county.” The suburb of Mount Pleasant pays its workers a minimum of about $12, and North Charleston plans to raise its minimum from $13.25 to $15 by 2020. The city’s lowest-paid workers, about 11% of its workforce, include lifeguards, receptionists, groundskeepers, custodians, snack bar workers, and recreation center instructors. The wage system also limits pay for longtime workers. Recreation specialist Katelin Ballard has been working at the Bees Landing Recreation Center for eight years, but has reached the maximum of $12.87 for her title, and because of high housing costs in the city, commutes 22 miles each way. “I have staff that work for me that have master’s degrees that can’t buy houses in the city of Charleston,” Wharton said. “Maybe things would be more affordable if our wages reflected that more.” Read more
