With elected officials by their sides, workers from New Jersey's Service Employees International Union marched from Trenton City Hall to the Statehouse, according to an NJTV News report
TRENTON -- As the nation recognized Labor Day, workers from across New Jersey marched on Monday through Trenton to show support for raising the minimum wage and other labor issues.
With elected officials by their sides, workers from New Jersey's Service Employees International Union marched from Trenton City Hall to the Statehouse, according to an NJTV News report.
Hector Figueroa, president of SEIU 32BJ, called for raising the minimum wage from its current level of $8.38 per hour, according to the report. Members of the local include office cleaners, school maintenance and food service workers.
"What workers are facing, including our members, is the need for work to pay and the need to have a path for the middle class," Figueroa said, according to the report.
MORE: What the minimum wage in N.J. is really worth
SEIU Food Services Worker Shirley Newell said most of the workers at the march are working two to three jobs to pay their bills, the report states.
"But when you have a family it's like you're working just to pay the bills. You don't have enough to do the things you want to do. I wanna go on vacation," Newell said, according to the report.
Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson and state representatives pledged their support for the workers, the report states.
"As a mayor I pledge my support because strong cohesive middle class and strong cohesive living wages make the differences in our communities," Jackson, according to the report.
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
