Over a Million Workers to Benefit from Statewide Minimum Wage Increase
Hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans are getting a raise today, the first in our state’s multi-year move toward a $15-an-hour minimum wage.
“Today marks a monumental step on our path to a stronger and fairer New Jersey,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Our economy grows when everyone can participate in it – every hardworking New Jerseyan deserves a fair wage that allows them to put food on the table and gas in their car. Together, we are making New Jersey more affordable and giving over a million New Jerseyans a pathway to the middle class.”
Today’s wage hike, from $8.85 to $10, comes five months after Governor Murphy signed landmark legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024. After today, the statewide minimum wage will continue to increase by $1 per hour every January 1st until it reaches $15 per hour in 2024.
“Progressive initiatives such as raising the minimum wage have been a long time priority for the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, and today, we are extremely proud to celebrate our state’s first step in the path towards raising the standard of living for working, middle-class New Jerseyans,” said Charles Wowkanech, President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO. “Anyone who works a full-time job should be able to provide their family with the basic necessities—shelter, food, clothing—and a $15 minimum wage will, no doubt, help lift countless workers out of poverty.”
“This raise is the right thing to do for working people and the smart thing to do for the economy,” added President Wowkanech.
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO thanks its affiliated unions, the legislators who voted in favor of a living wage, our labor candidates and our partners in the “We Are One” coalition for spearheading the fight for the $15 an hour minimum wage. Without their advocacy, we would not have achieved this victory for the working poor of New Jersey.