States and municipalities across the country are taking direct action to raise wages. With the cost of living rising and a federal minimum wage less than $9.00 per hour, workers are finding it harder than ever to make ends meet. Many workers balance two or three jobs and still struggle with poverty, while the largest businesses continue to reap billions of dollars in profit.
Given the ongoing imbalance between work and reward, the labor movement is committed to keeping the campaign to raise wages going.
“Adjusted for cost of living, New Jersey’s minimum wage is the 5th-most insufficient in the nation,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “That is unacceptable. New Jerseyans should not have to live paycheck to paycheck, in some cases deciding between whether to put food on the table or keep the lights on. The path to a stronger and fairer New Jersey includes raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour and ensuring fairness and opportunity for everyone in our state.”
“Anyone working hard at a full-time job should, at the least, be able to provide their family with the basics — a roof over their family’s head, food on the table and clothes on their back,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “I am committed to ramping up the minimum wage to $15 and will continue to work with my caucus, Senate President Sweeney and Governor Murphy on a responsible path towards raising the wages and standard of living for working, middle class New Jerseyans.”
“I am looking forward to working with Governor Murphy and Speaker Coughlin to see that New Jersey increases the minimum wage to $15 an hour,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “It is the right thing to do for working people and the smart thing to do for the economy.”
By raising the minimum wage to $15, we can strengthen and protect working families. Ultimately, these efforts to empower workers in our state will boost productivity and grow the economy.
Let’s come together and take real action for New Jersey’s working families. Let’s demand the raise we’ve earned, that our daughters and sons have earned. Let’s see to it that all workers receive livable wages—wages that will lift workers out of poverty and provide real opportunities for advancement.
As always, we thank you for your critical support in this mission.