New Yorkers will see an increase in minimum wage just in time for the New Year. New York is one of 19 states increasing its minimum wage in 2017. The amount increase varies from state to state and depends on the overall size of the business.
In New York City, those who work at a company with 11 or more employees will experience an increase from $9 to $11 hourly. For the next two years, the number will increase by another $2 an hour. As a result, the minimum wage will reach $15 an hour by the end of 2018.
As for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer, the amount of increase is $1.50 an hour and will follow the same pattern. By the end of 2019, small business employees will have a minimum wage of $15 an hour. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said:
“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 hardworking New Yorkers.”
In April, Cuomo signed the legislation that would enact a statewide $15 minimum wage plan. In addition to the minimum wage increase, he also vowed to include a 12-week paid family leave program. The benefit covers situations like caring for an infant or a critically ill family member. The program will begin to phase in at the start of 2018 and is expected to be fully implemented by 2021. More details on the program can be found here.
Cuomo is taking the minimum wage increase seriously. The governor announced a public-service campaign with a list of steps to follow if employees do not receive their raises. In addition, the state’s labor department established a hotline workers can call to report employers who do not comply. The hotline can be reached at (888) 469-7365 (4NY-SDOL).
Over 2 million people will be affected by the increase, which includes more than 800,000 New York City workers, according to state officials. Other states experiencing a minimum wage increase of their own include: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont and Washington.
Featured Image via Wikimedia Commons
