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Council raises building service wage floor, expands coverage in ordinance 25‑056
Summary
Jersey City updated its standard wage law to cover more building service workers and raise minimum benefits; the council adopted the ordinance unanimously after public remarks from SEIU and residential workers.
The Jersey City Municipal Council unanimously adopted City Ordinance 25‑056 on Tuesday, revising local standard wage and benefit rules for workers in development projects.
City Ordinance 25‑056 amends the municipal code to broaden the types of covered building service workers — adding concierge, door staff and handypersons to the existing categories — and raises the minimum compensation and benefits standard tied to prevailing wage metrics. Council members approved the measure 9‑0 after a public hearing.
Anna Maria Hill, state director for SEIU Local 32BJ, said the update addresses a law first enacted in 2012 that she described as outdated. "This ordinance would broaden coverage to all building service workers, including concierge, door persons, and handy people, ensuring more workers are protected under the law," Hill told the council.
Workers and union members said the city’s economic growth made the update urgent. Joe Tarrazi, a 32BJ member and building porter, told the council that new development and tax incentives had not guaranteed fair pay for the workers who maintain buildings. Tarrazi said proposed wage and benefit floors would give workers "a fair share of the wealth" produced by development.
Councilmembers cited the need to ensure that city subsidies and tax abatements benefit workers as well as developers. The ordinance passed on final reading with no recorded opposition.
The law also includes anti‑retaliation protections and stronger notice requirements so covered employees know their rights. Enforcement details and implementation steps will be carried out by the city’s Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce.
