New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL) announced in late September that there would be no minimum wage increase in the State for 2016.
In 2013, New Jersey voters amended the State’s constitution to raise the minimum wage to $8.25 per hour and to increase it proportionally every year with the increased cost of living. Each year, the DOL must report on the increased consumer price index and then make appropriate changes to the minimum wage.
The minimum wage was bumped to $8.38 for 2015, but the DOL was unable to justify a similar bump for 2016. Finding no increase in the consumer price index, the DOL is maintaining the minimum wage at $8.38.
The decision by New Jersey’s executive is in stark contrast to the goals of neighboring New York’s governor. New York has already signed a rule to gradually increase fast food workers’ wages to $15 per hour, and Governor Cuomo pledged to fight to make the wage increase apply to all workers state-wide.