NJBIA Statement on FDU Poll on Minimum Wage

Mike Wallace, NJBIA vice president of Government Affairs, issued the following statement regarding the recent Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) Poll released today finding that three out of four New Jerseyans think the state’s minimum wage should be increased, but by considerably less than the $15 an hour proposed by Gov. Phil Murphy.

“This poll shows that the public has serious concerns about raising the state’s minimum wage to $15.

“As the discussion about raising the minimum wage continues, NJBIA will continue to emphasize skill building and career development to improve the financial opportunities for low-wage workers.  New Jersey, like the rest of the nation, has a severe shortage of skilled labor, to the point where thousands of job openings are going unfilled because employers cannot find the workforce with the necessary skills needed to fill open positions.

“Job training, apprenticeships and career development will not only allow workers to get better paying jobs, but give them the opportunity to build sustaining careers.”