“Raise the Wage” Press Conference

HPAE joined with other labor unions and women's rights activists on Women's Equality Day to support an increase in the minimum wage in New Jersey. Laurel Brennan, Secretary-Treasurer of the New Jersey AFL-CIO, explained the link between equality for women and a minimum wage hike:

“So why are we here today on August 26th Women’s Equality Day? Because on this day in 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was signed and it gave women the right to vote – and the face of the American electorate was changed forever.”

“Why is the minimum wage increase necessary now? Because low income families, single parents, and students have worked incredibly hard for too long and still earn less than a livable wage. An individual, working a full time job at minimum wage barely earns $15,000 a year before taxes. The hard working citizens of the Garden State deserve a chance to earn their fair share.”

Photo below: HPAE Policy Staff Jean Pierce (on the right) with other participants at the press conference.