“Once again Governor Chris Christie has vetoed a $15 minimum wage bill approved by both houses that would have helped lift nearly one million hardworking men and women out of poverty,” said Kevin Brown, 32BJ SEIU Vice President and NJ State Director. “Christie’s argument that a wage hike would lead to job losses and increased prices for products is false. The sky didn’t fall and there were no massive layoffs after voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum in 2013 to increase the minimum wage. And the CPI, Consumer Price Index, saw little change, evidence there were no significant increases in prices for goods and services.

What is true is that we would all benefit if workers have a little more money in their pockets because they would spend it at local businesses and be able to provide for their families. Voters understand this fact. That’s why I am confident they will once again support a referendum calling for a $15 minimum wage. And our union, including more than 11,000 members here in New Jersey, will continue to lend their support to help meet this goal.”

*About 32BJ: With 155,000 members in 11 states–including more than 11,000 in New Jersey–32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.