WNY Commissioners Pass Ordinance Increasing Minimum Wage For Municipal Employees

Town of West New York Raises Minimum Wage for Municipal Employees to $15 Per Hour, Now $3 Above State Minimum

Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez and the Board of Commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance last night raising the minimum wage for municipal employees to at least $15 per hour. The measure is designed to support working families who help make local government run efficiently and deliver important services to residents while also showing the Mayor and Commissioners’ commitment to advocating for higher wages and providing an example of how to fairly treat employees.

The increase does not included seasonal, part-time employees.  It goes into affect in January.

“The Commissioners and I are proud to take this important step that puts West New York on the forefront of ensuring that our employees earn a living wage and are able to take care of their families in the same way that they take care of our community every day,” said Mayor Rodriguez. “With so many of our employees being West New York residents, we believe that this measure will have a positive impact on our local economy and that it will also benefit taxpayers by helping us recruit and retain high quality employees who will deliver services effectively and efficiently.”

West New York’s minimum wage for municipal employees is now above the state’s current $12 minimum wage, which is set to increase each year until reaching $15 by 2024 thanks to a law signed by Governor Phil Murphy.

“With so many families struggling with the ongoing pandemic, we want to take whatever action we can to help people make ends meet and put food on the table,” said Revenue and Finance Commissioner Margarita Guzman. “This new $15 minimum wage plan is a reflection of our values and a signal that West New York will always stand up for working and middle class families.”