The New Jersey Senate approved legislation to phase in a $15 minimum wage on Thursday, sending this progressive pro-worker legislation advocated by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO to the governor’s desk.
The 21-18 vote was mostly along party lines, with all Republicans voting no and all Democrats but three voting yes. CLICK HERE to see the full roll call vote.
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO would like to thank Sens. Sandra Cunningham (LD-31) and Joe Vitale (LD-19) and Senate President Steve Sweeney (LD-3) for sponsoring the bill in the Senate and all our Senate allies who stood up for working people by voting yes. The bill would raise the state’s minimum wage from the current $8.38 per hour to $10.10 per hour on Jan. 1, 2017, and raise the wage every year for the next four years until it reaches $15 per hour in 2021.
We also would like to acknowledge the 42 members of the New Jersey Assembly who voted for this bill in May, and our many allies and community partners who have campaigned persistently for this legislation on behalf of low-wage working people throughout our state. We now urge Gov. Christie to do the right thing by signing this bill in to law.
This legislation would not have made it to the governor’s desk without the advocacy of all of you!
Thank you again for everything you do.