The wage had been unchanged since 1997, and applies for employees under contract, both full-time and part-time.
Also, the employees will receive an additional $3.10 per hour from the city toward the purchase of health benefits.
The ordinance is subject to a second reading at its next meeting on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. in City Hall, where the council can vote for or against the ordinance.Should hire Jersey City workers
In addition, under this ordinance, any company providing security or janitorial services has to make a "good faith" effort to hire residents of Jersey City for open positions. That means advertising in local newspapers or hiring from a list supplied by the Jersey City Employment and Training Program.
A memo dated Nov. 1, issued by the city's corporation counsel William Matsikoudis, explains that the Healy administration "concluded that it would be both just and fiscally responsible" to increase the wages, which hadn't been done in a decade. Similar increases are being implemented by the city of Newark and the state for services done in their buildings.
The memo notes that the increase will cost the city an additional $173,000 for janitorial services for the year, and $152,000 more for security services to cover the raised wages.
For Jersey City, there are 20 janitors from five companies and 21 security guards from one company who are affected.
Of the 20 janitors, 15 live in Jersey City. Of the 21 security guards, 20 reside in Jersey City. Comments on the story can be sent to rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.
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