Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG
District 37 (Bergen)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Gordon and Rice
SYNOPSIS
Urges Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to request and support increase in minimum wage for workers at Newark airport.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to request and support an increase in the minimum wage for workers at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Whereas, Many Newark Liberty International Airport workers earn the current State minimum wage of $8.25 per hour, or approximately $17,000 per year for a full-time worker, which includes the increase of $1.00 per hour in the State’s minimum wage that has been in effect since January 1, 2014; and
Whereas, Despite this recent increase, workers who earn the minimum wage continue to struggle to cope with increases in their cost of living; and
Whereas, While wages for America’s workers have remained stagnant since the “Great Recession,” there has been a significant increase in the number of low-wage occupations, thereby accelerating a shift in the United States economy toward lower paying jobs; and
Whereas, The federal minimum wage of $1.60 per hour in 1968 would be over $10.50 per hour today, when adjusted for inflation, if it had kept pace with the cost of living over the past 46 years; and
Whereas, At the urging of New York Governor Cuomo’s administration, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has already requested and indicated its support for a $1.00 per hour increase in pay for New York airport workers earning $9.00 per hour or less, which would affect nearly 8,000 workers; and
Whereas, Many Newark airport workers earning the minimum wage must also support their families, and, despite full-time employment, workers earning the minimum wage typically rely on public assistance; and
Whereas, Newark airport workers deserve jobs that allow them to support their families, the economy, and live with dignity; and
Whereas, Nearly 4,000 workers earning $9.00 per hour or less would benefit from a $1.00 per hour increase in the minimum wage at Newark airport, just like their New York counterparts; and
Whereas, A majority of Americans support gradually raising the federal minimum wage from the current $7.25 per hour to at least $10.00 per hour; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is respectfully urged to request and support an increase in the minimum wage for workers at Newark Liberty International Airport.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and each member of the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey appointed by the Governor of the State of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to request and support an increase in the minimum wage for workers at Newark Liberty International Airport.