Elizabeth, NJ – On behalf of Make the Road New Jersey, youth leader Giovana Castaneda issued the following statement in response to the reports of the introduction of a $15 minimum wage bill that raises wages over a period of 11 years to $15 per hour for teen workers, farmworkers, tipped workers and seasonal workers, and employees of small businesses, in the New Jersey State Assembly:

“No worker should be excluded from the right to earn a living wage. Youth workers work hard to help our families, save for college and build a better future for ourselves. The Assembly’s reported bill makes teen workers- as well as farmworkers and tipped workers and others – second class citizens. We do the same work as adults and we should be paid the same.  We don’t work to pay for movie tickets, we are helping our families and saving for college. That’s a fact: In New Jersey families with total incomes of $50,000 or less, teen earnings make up nearly 20 percent of total family income. This is especially true for families of color. As a young woman of color, and as a teen worker, I am concerned about my future. We call for  a clean $15 minimum wage for all workers – it’s the right thing for our futures and our families.”

Teens will host a press conference and rally today at 6pm in front of McDonalds at 33 Broad St, Elizabeth, NJ to demand inclusion in a $15 minimum wage bill for teen workers – and all workers – and to express concerns with carveouts.

Make the Road NJ builds the power of immigrant and working class communities in New Jersey to achieve dignity and justice through community organizing, legal and support services, transformative education and policy innovation.

http://www.maketheroadnj.org/