The hike is part of a planned increase to $15 per hour. That rate will hit New York City in two years and the rest of the state later.
“No one who works full-time should be condemned to a life of poverty and that’s why New York took action to raise the wage and provide the opportunity of a decent life to millions of hard working New Yorkers,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “As we reach this milestone for a more fair and a more just New York, we are reminding workers they are owed a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and this administration will work to ensure they receive the wage increase to which they are entitled.”
The $15 minimum wage legislation was passed as part of the 2016-17 state budget with a phase-in schedule on a regional basis is as follows:
- For workers in New York City employed by large businesses (those with at least 11 employees), the minimum wage will rise to $11 at the end of 2016, then another $2 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2018.
- For workers in New York City employed by small businesses (those with 10 employees or fewer), the minimum wage will rise to $10.50 by the end of 2016, then another $1.50 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2019
- For workers in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties, the minimum wage will increase to $10 at the end of 2016, then $1 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2021.
- For workers in the rest of the state, the minimum wage will increase to $9.70 at the end of 2016, then another .70 each year after until reaching $12.50 on 12/31/2020 – after which the minimum wage will continue to increase to $15 on an indexed schedule to be set by the Director of the Division of Budget in consultation with the Department of Labor.
It is estimated that more than 2 million people will be affected by the increases in the minimum wage, including over 174,000 in Western New York who currently make less than $15 per hour.
Gov. Cuomo has set up a hotline for workers who do not receive the rate increase as required by law. The number is 1-888-4-NYSDOL.
All WNY is made possible thanks to coffee and sleep deprivation.
We appreciate your readership. We like money, too.
