Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. was proud to spearhead the “Raise the Wage” campaign last year to win approval of the statewide minimum wage ballot initiative. Together, we united over 256 progressive grassroots organizations and worked to build support in communities all across the state. We often said during the campaign that, “Together we will make history!” and today we are living that history.

As a result of our efforts, New Jersey just recently announced its first ever cost-of-living increase for the minimum wage. The increase is set to take effect on January 1, 2015, bringing the new state minimum wage up to $8.38 per hour to reflect a 1.59 percent increase in the cost of living. This is huge, because it marks the first year that minimum wage workers in our state will not see their standard of living reduced because of rising costs.

Contrary to what opponents warned, the price of goods and services did not skyrocket overnight and mass layoffs did not occur. This law did exactly what was intended by providing a modest financial boost to low income workers in our state, bringing them that much closer to a middle class standard of living.

Without your support none of this would have been possible, and from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.

As we move forward, there is still much work to be done to build on the progress we have made. We are currently fighting to enact a statewide earned sick days policy and we will continue to fight for greater investment in our communities and jobs that pay a living wage. We look forward to your continued support.