Governor Cuomo Instructs State Labor Department to Convene Wage Board to Investigate and Make Recommendations on Raising Minimum Wage For Fast Food Workers

Acting Labor Commissioner Musolino Appoints Wage Board; Recommendations Expected By July

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently instructed Acting State Labor Commissioner Mario J. Musolino to empanel a Wage Board that will investigate and make recommendations on an increase in the minimum wage in the fast food industry. The Wage Board will take approximately three months to examine the issue and make recommendations regarding a possible increase. Those recommendations are expected by July, and do not require legislative approval in order to become enacted.

Under New York State law, a Wage Board can suggest changes to the minimum wage in a specific industry or job classification if it finds that wages are insufficient to provide for the life and health of workers within that industry or classification. Despite being a well-established and thriving multi-billion dollar industry, the fast food sector employs tens of thousands of minimum wage workers in New York State – the vast majority of which are women, primary breadwinners for their households, and recipients of welfare or other forms of public assistance.

“If you work full time, you should be able to provide for yourself and your family and move beyond poverty. That is what the minimum wage is all about, but for too many fast food workers in New York today that is simply not the case,” Governor Cuomo said. “The minimum wage must be a wage that allows for a decent living – not one that condemns hard-working people to an endless cycle of poverty and government assistance – and that is why I am taking this action. We must fulfill the promise of honor and justice for fast food workers in New York, and I urge the Wage Board to stand up for what is right and help us move forward.”