The next two legislative session days are important to working families, as bills on the minimum wage, prevailing wages and pension funding are scheduled to be considered. Please join us in Trenton to show your support for these significant pieces of legislation that will benefit our union brothers and sisters and working people throughout the state.
This Thursday, May 19, at 10:00 a.m. in the Statehouse Annex, Committee Room 15, the Assembly Labor Committee will consider a bill (A-15) to gradually raise New Jersey’s minimum wage to $15 per hour, giving low-wage workers a much needed raise in this high-cost state.
The Labor Committee will also hear two prevailing wage bills: A-2863/S-2173 requires that workers subject to the state’s prevailing wage laws have completed or be enrolled in a registered apprenticeship, which ensures the most qualified workforce is on the job; and A-3435/S-1162 imposes prevailing wage on properties that receive tax abatements or exemptions.
On Monday, May 23, at 1:00 p.m. in Committee Room 7, the Senate State Government Committee will hear testimony on SCR-2, which would place a ballot question before voters requiring the state to live up to its pension obligation and establishing a Constitutional right of public employees to their pension benefits.
As you know, the current pension shortfall occurred because the state has repeatedly failed to fully fund the retirement system. This crucial piece of legislation is the only way to compel the state to fulfill its obligation to 800,000 active and retired government workers.
We look forward to seeing you this Thursday, and again on Monday, in Trenton. Thank you for your unwavering support!