The City of Jersey City will increase their municipal worker minimum wage to $17 an hour later this month, officials announced this morning.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The minimum wage increase will affect approximately 400 Jersey City employees, including parking enforcement workers and crossing guards.
“Prioritizing workers and families most impacted by the pandemic, we’re increasing the minimum wage not only to show our appreciation to our dedicated employees, but I hope our efforts will also encourage other leaders on all levels of government to make the same considerations for their low-wage workforce,” Mayor Steven Fulop said in a statement.
“We are raising salaries for hundreds of hardworking residents and community members to provide their families with a financial boost during these uncertain times and for future planning.”
Jersey City became the first in New Jersey to guarantee sick days in 2013, an effort led by Fulop to protect the health of our working families.
Then in 2015, Fulop signed a wage theft prevention ordinance before raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour the following year.
Currently, the state minimum wage is at $12 an hour and the federal minimum wage is at $11.
More than 95 percent of the employees affected are residents of the Jersey City community. Boosting the minimum wage also increases employee retention, thereby improving efficiency and maintaining higher levels of public services.
“It is my sincere hope that this salary boost will provide financial relief for many Jersey City families, and we look forward to continuing our work together creating the best work environment possible,” Fulop added.
