In the last few months, fast food workers across the nation have been seen demanding a higher minimum wage rate. In New York, Commissioner of Labor Mario J. Musolino called for a wage board to investigate the wages of fast-food employees. After more than 10 weeks of study and deliberations, the Fast Food Wage Board recommended phased increases in the minimum wage that would reach $15 per hour by 2018 in New York City and by 2021 in the rest of the state.
On September 10, 2015, Commissioner Musolino accepted the Wage Board’s report and recommendations. The accepted recommendations include: increasing the minimum wage rate to $15 for fast food employees in fast food establishments, phased-in schedules for New York City and the state, and definitions establishing the scope of covered employees and establishments.
The minimum wage increase schedule is shown below:
New York State New York City
12-31-15 $9.75 12-31-15 $10.50
12-31-16 $10.75 12-31-16 $12.00
12-31-17 $11.75 12-31-17 $13.50
12-31-18 $12.75 12-31-18 $15.00
12-31-19 $13.75
12-31-20 $14.50
7-1-21 $15.00
Businesses are advised to review the Order to determined whether they qualify as fast food establishments. The first wage increase will begin on December 31, 2015.