Protesters Push for Higher Wages, Workers' Rights

Social justice activists in Winston-Salem are advocating for higher pay and better working conditions for low-level employees.

Tuesday at Lloyd Presbyterian Church on Chestnut Street, about 80 people gathered and protested what they say are too few jobs with decent pay. Speakers, such as Reverend Dr. Carlton Eversly, urged workers to organize to make sure their voices are heard in the workplace.
 

Will Cox is an X-ray technologist at Novant Health, one of the area's biggest employers. It runs several healthcare facilities including Forsyth Medical Center. He says he supports fast-food workers who are pushing for a $15 an hour wage, and he'd like to see Novant do the same for workers in its facilities. Cox says he makes a living wage but he's worried about income equality in the health care industry.

In 2012, five Novant executives had total compensation packages worth more than $1 million, not including future retirement benefits. Tuesday afternoon, Novant released a statement from Forsyth Medical Center President and CEO Denise Mihal.

She says some jobs, such as housekeeping and food service, are contracted through other companies. These positions tend to be among the lowest paid. Mihal says Novant expects contractors to offer competitive salaries and benefit packages.

For Novant employees, Mihal says the company uses a market-based analysis for each position within the organization to ensure pay and benefits are in-line with industry standards.