Sept. 6, 2018: Early in his first term, Gov. Phil Murphy spoke at a press conference about raising New Jersey’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. (Photo courtesy of NJ Spotlight News)
Hudson County is getting ready to head into the new year with new wages, job opportunities, a food pantry and more. Here’s this week’s news roundup.
New Jersey Workers Will Be Paid A Little More
New Jersey’s minimum wage will rise by 43 cents from $15.49 to $15.92 per hour on Jan. 1. This continues the steady climb that began under Gov. Phil Murphy.
Seasonal and small employers will be required to raise their minimum wage at the start of the new year, going from $14.53 to $15.23.
“Higher wages strengthen the economy. Workers have more buying power and businesses see more consumer demand,” said Mitch Cahn, a member of the group and owner of Unionwear, a clothing company in Newark.
“When you invest in employees, you keep experienced workers who are skilled and efficient. Strong morale drives strong performance.”
These workers will also be affected by the increase:
- Agricultural workers: Increasing from $13.40 to $14.20 per hour
- Home health aides: Up 43 cents to $18.92 per hour
- Tipped workers: Increasing from $5.62 to $6.05 per hour. Employers must make up the difference if tips don’t reach the state minimum.
The New Jersey Business and Industry Association, however, expressed concerns about the increase.
“The truth is, many entry-level positions already exceeded the $1-per-year increase over the past five years, especially after COVID,” NJBIA CEO Michele Siekerka said.
But Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, an organization of business owners, said the wage increase helps everyone.
“Higher wages strengthen the economy. Workers have more buying power and businesses see more consumer demand,” said Mitch Cahn, a member of the group and owner of Unionwear, a clothing company in Newark.
When Gov. Murphy took office in 2018, the minimum wage was $8.60 an hour.
If You’re Against This E-Bike Bill, Here’s How You Can Try And Stop It
Right now in Hudson County there is a proposed bill (S4834/A6235) that would make insurance, registration and a license mandatory to ride any type of e-bike in Hudson County.
This includes:
- Low-speed e-bikes that go under 20mp
- Other low-speed e-bikes
- E-motos
- Mopeds
New Jersey Bike Walk (NJBW) and coalition partners have testified at several hearings to express their opposition to the current bill.
“We urge you to write and call your legislators and beg them to hit the brakes on this bill, which would restrict access to safe and affordable mobility options, slow our progress towards net-zero, create confusion at state border crossings, and distract from addressing real problems with high-speed electric mopeds and motor vehicles (e-motos),” the petition states.
NJBW instead encourages the bill to be reworked to focus on:
- Enforcing the law which already requires licensing, registration and insurance for faster, higher-powered electric devices
- Requiring vendors to register and clearly label and inform customers on safety and the laws governing low speed vs high speed devices
- Educating vendors, law enforcement and parents on the difference between these devices
- Implementing proven strategies for reducing fatal and serious injury crashes on our streets, such as infrastructure improvements for people walking, biking and taking public transit
You can learn more or write to your legislator here.
Need Help With Meals This January? Visit This Jersey City Food Pantry
Triangle Park Community Center announced its food pantry schedule for January.
The dates for the food pantry are:
- Fri, Jan. 9: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fri, Jan. 16: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sat, Jan. 17: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Fri, Jan. 30: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
You are required to bring your ID upon pickup.
Jersey City Mayor-Elect Releases Job Opportunities For The Community
Jersey City Mayor-elect James Solomon has officially launched a transition website that includes a public job application portal.
The transition website features a public job application portal that invites community members to apply for several positions. You can also get consistent updates during the transition period before Solomon takes office on Jan. 15.
The website is part of Solomon’s vow to transparency, community involvement and building a diverse team for the city.
“The residents of Jersey City deserve a government that reflects their needs and aspirations, and this is an important step in that direction. We encourage everyone that is interested to apply so together we can create a better, more affordable city,” Solomon said in a statement.
You can find open positions and check out the transition website here.
New Jersey’s ‘Groundbreaking’ Film & Production Campus To Open In Bayonne
On Dec. 16, public officials and film industry executives gathered for a “groundbreaking” ceremony at the new 1888 Studios.
The motion picture and television production complex will be at the foot of Avenue A in Bayonne, which is the former location of the Texaco refinery that closed in the 1980s.
The new complex will include 23 soundstages across 58 acres with more than one million square feet of building space.
According to Arpad (Arki) Busson, the President of the 1888 Studios, the production complex “will reshape the city for generations to come” and would make Bayonne “a global connector.”
The construction will create 2,300 union jobs and once the facility is completed, it is expected to create 2,000 union jobs. Paramount has already signed a ten-year lease for a “major portion” with 1888 Studios.
One Dead And 11 Seriously Injured After Fire In Bayonne
An investigation continues for last week’s fatal fire in Bayonne.
This past Tuesday at 7:22 a.m., the Bayonne Fire Department responded to a call at 537 Avenue A, an 11-story high rise where a fire was found in an apartment on the third floor.
The fire progressed, requiring the need for more fire operations and care for residents of the building. The fire was deemed under control at 8:17 a.m.
A resident of the original fire apartment, Irene Clark, 82, of Bayonne, was removed by firefighters and transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly after 9:30 a.m..
Three other residents and eight police officers were also transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation. Four other residents were treated at the scene and refused further medical treatment. All other occupants were then allowed to return to their apartments.This matter is under investigation by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Bayonne Fire Department. Foul play is not suspected at this time.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
