Bloomberg (06/08/12) Terrence Dopp

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has indicated he will not sign a measure to boost New Jersey’s minimum wage, citing concern over a provision requiring annual adjustments for inflation. The measure–which passed the Assembly in May and is pending in the Senate–would raise the hourly wage floor to $8.50 from $7.25.

“We’re telling small-business owners that not only are we going to raise their costs by a buck and a quarter, but we’re also going to raise it with these cost-of-living adjustments,” says Christie. “Here’s what’s going to happen–they’re going to have to lay people off.”

Los Angeles Times (06/06/12) Marc Lifsher

A critical report by the National Employment Law Project distorts facts about how Wal-Mart Stores Inc. runs its distribution network, the company says. The NELP report says the retailer’s use of paid temporary workers is being copied by other retailers, driving down pay and benefits for U.S. warehouse workers. Wal-Mart spokesperson Dan Fogelman said that nearly all of the company’s logistics centers in the U.S. are owned and operated by Wal-Mart and are not operated by third-party logistics contractors. Wal-Mart expects all its contractors and subcontractors “to comply with all applicable laws” related to pay, safety, and other areas, Fogleman said.

NorthJersey.com (06/08/12) Rebecca Baker

The Englewood, NJ, Board of Education has voted to consider replacing school secretaries and teaching assistants with employees from private staffing firms. Officials say the move would save $2 million annually in salaries and benefits.