At a rally for low wage workers in New York City, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo officially announced that the minimum wage increase for New York State Workers will take effect beginning December 31, 2015.
In a groundbreaking effort to make New York the first state in the nation to implement the $15 minimum wage increase across all industries, Cuomo and the Division of the Budget has released a plan to state agencies that will begin the same phased-in schedule that was approved not long ago, for fast food workers by the Fast Food Wage Board.
“I believe that if you work hard and work full time, you should not be condemned to live in poverty. Yet millions of families nationwide continue to be left behind by an insufficient minimum wage – and it’s time that changed,” said Cuomo. “[Here] in New York, we are leading by example and creating an economy that is defined by opportunity, not inequality.”
The $15 an hour wage – which will primarily benefit state workers – will be phased in over a few years with the $15 increase being fully phased in by July 1, 2021.
The initial increase beginning on or after December 31, 2015, is the first pay period, and all state workers are expected to receive an hourly wage that is no less than $10.50 per hour for state employees with jobs located within the five boroughs of New York City or $9.75 per hour for state employees with jobs in all other locations.
This initial increase alone will benefit nearly 2,000 state employees. When fully phased-in on July 1, 2021, the $15 minimum wage will benefit an estimated 10,000 Executive Branch State employees, State Legislature employees, and employees of the State Judiciary. Additionally, workers of the Office of the Attorney General and Office of the State Comptroller will benefit from the increase as well.
“A full day’s work should result in an honest and livable wage,” said Cuomo. “By raising the minimum wage for state workers, we are…ensuring that thousands of workers are better able to provide for their families. I am proud to be fighting for fair pay in New York, and we will not stop until all workers are paid the decent wages they deserve.”
More than 2.3 million New Yorkers – the roughly 1,435,500 workers living outside of New York City and the 927,400 living within New York City – will be directly benefitted by the Governor’s proposal to increase the minimum wage for workers in all industries.
The $15 per hour wage increase, when fully phased-in, has an annual projected cost of $20.6 million, including the anticipated effect of fringe benefits. Immediate costs will be absorbed within agency budgets.
