The West New York Board of Commissioners approved new salary ranges that include $15 municipal minimum wages for the first time at last night’s meeting.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The commissioners and I are proud to take this important step that puts West New York on the forefront of ensuring that our employees earn a living wage and are able to take care of their families in the same way that they take care of our community every day,” Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez said in a statement.
“With so many of our employees being West New York residents, we believe that this measure will have a positive impact on our local economy and that it will also benefit taxpayers by helping us recruit and retain high quality employees who will deliver services effectively and efficiently.”
The town’s minimum wage for municipal employees is now above the state’s current $12 minimum wage, which is set to increase each year until reaching $15 by 2024 thanks to a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D).
The new ordinance does not apply to part-time seasonal employees.
“With so many families struggling with the ongoing pandemic, we want to take whatever action we can to help people make ends meet and put food on the table,” added Revenue and Finance Commissioner Margarita Guzman.
“This new $15 minimum wage plan is a reflection of our values and a signal that West New York will always stand up for working and middle class families.”
Other changes made are seeing the salary range of the mayor go to $30,000 (previously maxed out at $20,000), the commissioners to $29,000 (previously $17,500), the recreation director $100,000 (previously $90,000), and the tax collector $135,000 (previously $125,000).
Other positions impacted such as police captains, police sergeants, EMTs, building inspectors, and electrical sub code officials would all see a salary range bump of at least $10,000.
Police sergeants will see the biggest range increase, maxing out at $157,000 as opposed to $135,000.
West New York is the third Hudson County municipality to approve salary range increases at the end of the year, with North Bergen doing so in November and Hoboken following suit earlier this month.
