Most of us believe in fair pay for honest work. So why aren’t low-wage workers better paid?

After 30 years of research, I can tell you it’s not because employers don’t have the cash. It’s because profitable corporations spend that money on their stock prices and CEOs instead.

Lowe’s, for example, spent $43 billion buying back its own stock over the past five years. With that sum, the chain could’ve given each of its 285,000 employees a $30,000 bonus every year. Instead, half of Lowe’s workers make less than $33,000. Meanwhile, CEO Marvin Ellison raked in $18 million in 2023.

The company also plowed nearly five times as much cash into buybacks as it invested in long-term capital expenditures like store improvements and technology upgrades over the past five years.

Lowe’s ranks as an extreme example, but pumping up CEO pay at the expense of workers and long-term investment is actually the norm among America’s leading low-wage corporations.

This article was first published by Policy Matters Ohio

In the 1960’s, my grandfather joined the United Steelworkers and together with my grandmother, a nurse, they changed the entire trajectory of our family through the stability and opportunities they earned. Almost 60 years later, my husband joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (shout out to Local 683!) after being a non-union journeyman for several years. In addition to better pay, his jobs are more secure, his health insurance more comprehensive, and his worksites safer. I worked in food service, retail, as a nanny, and as a home childcare provider before joining Policy Matters Ohio and the staff union. I have rights and benefits at work that I never even dreamed of as a low-wage hourly worker, like guaranteed wage increases and paid family & medical leave.

Friday, September 6, 4-1opm
Saturday, September 7, 11am-10pm
Sunday, September 8, 11am-8pm

NEW LOCATION 2024 only: North Hamilton Park between E. Long St. and E. Broad St.

The Hot Times Festival is a community driven, multi-arts event and has been a project of the Arts Foundation of Olde Towne for over 40 years.

The festival has moved four times and now in 2024 the Festival makes a temporary while construction happens on the traditional site. 

The Hot Times Art Cars will host two new vehicles traveling from Texas along with a host of regional and local cars and will be honoring co-founder Ramona Moon. There will be children's activities, food, drinks, music, arts and crafts and community booths. 

LONG STREET STAGE

FRIDAY:

5:00. African Cultural Arts Institute

6:00. Mendelsonics

7:00. Austin & Syd Experience 

8:00. Shaun Booker Dammit Band

9:00. Willie Phoenix

SATURDAY:

12:00. Wahru’s Drummers

 1:00. Charles Grace Band

 2:00. Billy Zenn & The Beatdowns