Ending Subminimum Wage: Thrive Upstate’s Partnership with Creform

For many years Thrive Upstate partnered with businesses in Greenville County for outsourced work. Individuals with disabilities participated in Day Services, earning subminimum wage in-house, performing jobs such as collating, simple hand packing, and assembly work. Earned income was based on the number of pieces completed on a specific job. The Department of Labor time studies determined the piece work wages for each task.

Creform, formerly Textube, in-house rail contract at our former Piedmont Skills Greer Day Program, and our Piedmont Skills Blueridge Day Program was a driving force for piece rate work for 20+ years. The job involved assembling a specific number of wheels onto an aluminum rail. The rail connected to other rails creating a conveyor system for manufacturing moving parts for assembly. The individuals who worked on the rails were paid per piece ranging from $.84 to $2.32 per rail, depending on rail length and size.

Based on the CMS Final Rule, which centers around Employment First, Thrive Upstate decidedly created a plan to eliminate subminimum wage in our day programs. It was time to end the subminimum wage because it was the right thing to do for participants. Contract work and production requirements interfered with community exploration, enrichment, and employment. The Covid-19 pandemic also accelerated our goal of eliminating all piecework in our day programs.

Thrive Upstate began negotiations with Creform to have work completed at their worksite in an enclave model consisting of a Thrive Upstate staff member and a group of nine workers. Creform agreed to this model, and rail work was moved out of the day programs. Since June 2020, workers have earned above minimum wage at an average of $9.50/hour while working Monday through Friday from 9:00-3:00 pm. The workers are proud of their accomplishments and ability to be productive community members. As a result of moving away from the day program, staff has observed greater confidence and independence in the individuals, expressing the feeling that they are a vital part of the Creform team. They also recognize that their hard work has contributed to a successful partnership with Creform. Thrive Upstate is proud of the amazing and dedicated individuals working at Creform.

Written by:

Angie Ballenger

Director of Day Services

Thrive Upstate

Special thanks to our funder, SC Developmental Disabilities Council, for supporting this project.