In November, New Jersey voters will be asked to weigh-in on the minimum wage. Currently, the state minimum wage is $7.25, but a question on the ballot will ask citizens whether they want to raise it to $8.25, and provide for cost-of-living increases that would be linked to the consumer price index. Multiple polls have suggested that the majority of New Jersey voters are in support of a minimum wage hike.

Momentum for higher wages is not restricted to New Jersey. A bi-partisan bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 by the year 2015.

Business groups, of course, tend to be against the minimum wage changes. The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association are among the groups against the state bill. Many of the bill’s opponents, however, do not actually oppose increasing the minimum wage by $1, but they take issue with tying minimum wage to the CPI. Such critics say that businesses would be burdened by wage increases caused by inflation if this bill were to pass into law.

Labor rights activists are quick to point out that many minimum wage jobs are held by adults, many of whom are parents, who need to earn a living wage – one that allows them to live above the poverty level.

It has been estimated that about 11 percent of New Jersey’s workforce earns less than the proposed new minimum of $8.25 an hour.

New Jersey voters have much to consider before Nov. 5, when the minimum wage question will appear on the ballot. In the meantime, workers should be aware that they do have state and federal rights to earn minimum wage and overtime, of time-and-one-half the regular rate of pay, for any hours worked in excess of 40 in a week. Many employers fail to abide by these laws. Workers whose wage and hours rights are being violated should seek legal counsel.

Source: New Jersey.com, “New Jersey minimum wage ballot heats up,” Joan Verdon, Sept. 29, 2013