Racker recognized as a certified living-wage employer in Tompkins County

ITHACA, N.Y. — Racker was recently certified as a “living wage employer” by the Tompkins County Workers’ Center. The living wage in Tompkins County is calculated bi-annually by Alternatives Federal Credit Union, and the current living wage is $15.32 per hour.

To qualify as a certified living-wage employer, Racker pays all its employees more than $15.32 an hour. The organization currently employs 735 people across its locations in Tompkins, Cortland, and Tioga counties.

Racker is an Ithaca–based not-for-profit that provides an array of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in its three-county area.

In 2013, the organization developed a strategic plan that included providing a living wage for every employee. At that time, the Tompkins County living wage was $12.42.

Over the past nine years, Racker says it has implemented organizational changes that included efficiencies that moved money to staff wages, particularly for those providing direct care. The nonprofit increased advocacy efforts while working with local state legislators to increase reimbursement rates from contracted New York state agencies. The combination of those efforts allowed Racker to close a $3 million living-wage gap and move the compensation for more than 300 staff from below a living wage to above.

The Living Wage Certification Program provides a standard for local employers and recognizes those organizations that are able to achieve that baseline.

Racker had total revenue of $39.2 million in 2020, according to its 2020 annual report.