Make the Road New Jersey Youth Leaders Launch Petition Drive to Ensure Teen Workers are not Excluded from NJ Minimum Wage Increase

Youth Workers to Canvass Cities Across New Jersey to Garner Support for $15 Minimum Wage with No Carveouts

(Elizabeth, NJ) July 18, 2018: As New Jersey moves forward to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, teen workers are at risk of being left behind. Young workers work side-by-side with their older counterparts across industries, and they often perform the same work. Many young workers come from struggling low- and middle-income households, and their earnings provide essential household income. Young workers are also often high school and college students who study hard and work long hours to try and cover at least some of their education expenses and save for college A higher minimum wage would allow them to cover more of tuition costs, finish school more quickly, and take out fewer loans.

WHO: Youth workers from Make the Road New Jersey

WHAT: Petition Drive and Canvass to Support a Clean $15 Minimum Wage with No Carveouts

WHERE: Cities across New Jersey

WHY: As legislators threaten to exclude youth workers from a minimum wage increase to $15/hour in New Jersey, youth workers are organizing to fight for a clean $15 minimum wage without carveouts for youth workers, farm workers or tipped workers.

WHEN: 11am on the following dates; additional dates to be announced.

Wednesday July 18th, Passaic – Main Street

Wednesday July 25th, Asbury Park

Monday July 30th, Elizabeth

Wednesday August 1st, New Brunswick

Monday August 6th, Newark

Wednesday August 8th, Red Bank

Monday August 13th, Jersey City

Wednesday August 15th, Perth Amboy

Wednesday August 22nd Camden

Interviews with youth workers available upon request.

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