By Frank L. Cahill
Parsippany Focus (NJ), Dec 20, 2019. Also in the Morris County Focus.
PARSIPPANY — New Jersey’s minimum wage will increase to $11.00 on January 1, in another step toward the $15.00 minimum wage enacted in February. Business leaders say that raising the minimum wage will boost consumer buying power, foster a more stable and productive workforce, and strengthen businesses and the economy.
New Jersey is one of 21 states raising its minimum wage at the new year, including six states (New Jersey, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York) on track to reach $15.00 in the future. Additionally, Washington D.C.’s minimum wage will reach $15 on July 1, 2020 and Connecticut will raise its minimum wage on September 1, 2020 in a step toward $15.00 by 2023.
New Jersey’s law, reflecting a compromise between the governor and legislative leaders, raises the minimum wage to $11.00 on January 1 for businesses with more than five employees (after increasing it to $10.00 on July 1, 2019 for these businesses), with future increases of $1.00 a year to reach $15.00 by 2024, followed by annual cost-of-living adjustments.The minimum wage increases to $10.30 on January 1, 2020 for seasonal workers and businesses with fewer than six employees, eventually reaching $15.00 in 2026 – followed by a two-year period for the slower-path minimum wage to catch up to cost-of-living adjustments in the regular minimum wage by 2028.
“Twenty-one states are ringing in the New Year with minimum wage increases, and that’s great news for business and our economy,” said Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. “It’s vital to remember that workers are also customers, and minimum wage increases boost the buying power of people living paycheck to paycheck. Minimum wage raises also pay off in lower employee turnover, reduced hiring and training costs, lower error rates, better productivity and happier customers.
Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, CEO of Earth Friendly Products, which manufactures ECOS® brand products in Parsippany (as well as California, Illinois and Washington): “With a higher minimum wage, turnover is lower, productivity is higher and customer service is stronger, helping businesses succeed. We start employees at $17.00 an hour and provide great benefits, and we’re still able to sell our products at competitive prices. Raising the minimum wage is an important investment in American workers and businesses.” ...