After a conditional veto of an increase in New Jersey's minimum wage by Gov. Chris Christie (R), working families, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and a coalition of 151 organizations are pushing for measure that would raise the state's wage to $8.25 per hour and attach a cost-of-living adjustment to the wage for the future. Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D) also joined the "Raise the Wage" campaign. In November, voters will be able to decide on the ballot whether or not to increase the minimum wage.

“New Jersey’s growing poverty statistics are startling, and raising the minimum wage would be a strong first step toward addressing this problem,” says New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech. “The New Jersey State AFL-CIO and coalition partners consider raising the minimum wage and including a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to be a top priority for low-income workers in this difficult economic climate.”

Read a full list of the supporting organizations.