Fast-food workers celebrate plan for $15 wage in New York
Fast-food workers in New York state heralded a proposal to raise their minimum wage to $15 even as restaurant owners vowed to fight what they said would be an arbitrary and damaging increase.
The minimum wage would increase gradually to $15 an hour — but only for workers in fast-food restaurants with 30 or more locations — under a plan endorsed Wednesday by a state Wage Board. The proposal now goes to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s labor commissioner, who is expected to approve the increase. Cuomo said he supports the move.
Fifteen dollars represents a significant victory for workers who argue fast-food wages haven’t kept up with the cost of living in one of the country’s most expensive states.