Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo was joined by Vice President Joe Biden to announce the new plan to raise New York's minimum wage to $15 dollars an hour. Governor Cuomo was also joined by Mary Kay Henry, SEIU 1199, and 1,200 workers, community members, and advocates at the Javits Center in New York who rallied for fair pay.
Acting State Labor Commissioner Musolino signed a "Wage Order" today designating a $15/hour statewide minimum wage for Fast Food Workers. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, also joined by Vice President Joseph Biden, rallied and spoke to all labors today! The recommended level of $15/hour by the Governor's proposed all-industry minimum wage increase is mirrored by the fast food wage order that will go into effect by December 31, 2018 in New York City and July 1, 2021 for the rest of New York State. For now, New Yorker's are the first in the nation to adopt a fair pay wage.
Governor Cuomo stated, "if you work full time, you shouldn't have to live in poverty - plain and simple." "Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour will add fairness to our economy and bring dignity and respect to 2.2 million people, many of who have been forced to live in poverty for too long." The Governor and Vice President, along with elected officials, business leaders and community members will also pushed for a $15 minimum wage across the state to build support for another bill to be introduced in the next legislation session.
According to the records, Governor Cuomo has consistently fought to increase the minimum wage in New York State. Taking a look into 2013, the Governor signed legislation that raised the minimum wage from $7.25 to its current level of $8.75. That same legislation included another incremental increase to $9.00 and this wage will take effect by the end of 2015. Additionally, the State Department of Labor empaneled a wage board last July, which led to an increase in wages for tipped workers from $4.90, $5.00 and $5.65 to $7.50 per hour on December 31, 2015.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said: “To grow the middle class, we need to set a livable wage that lets families pay their bills and save for their future. This is a smart investment in our workforce and our economy, and I’m proud New York is leading the nation to pull workers from a low-wage cycle of poverty.” The signed wage order for the 2015 Fast Food Wage Board will fulfill the 10 weeks of study and deliberations that was informed by input of employees, employers, industry representatives, and many whose livelihoods are sustained from the fast food industry.
The phase-in schedule of New York City and the rest of the State will read as follows:
For New York City, the minimum wage should be increased to
$10.50 on December 31, 2015
$12.00 on December 31, 2016
$13.50 on December 31, 2017, and
$15.00 on December 31, 2018
For the rest of the state, the minimum wage should be increased to
$9.75 on December 31, 2015
$10.75 on December 31, 2015
$11.75 on December 31, 2017
$12.75 on December 31, 2018
$13.75 on December 31, 2019
$14.50 on December 31, 2020, and
$15.00 on July 1, 2021.
Share: