ALBANY – The minimum wage increase for New York State is now in effect. As a result, nearly 2.2 million individuals will now have a slightly higher income.
As of Dec. 31, the minimum wage for Upstate New York is at $9.70 an hour, with other .70 cent increases scheduled for every year until the minimum wage reaches $12.50 in 2020. After that, the state Division of Budget Director will work with the state Department of Labor to eventually get it up to $15 an hour.
Meanwhile, the minimum wage increase will be on a faster track in the New York City area, where large businesses (those with 11 employees or more) are now required to pay $11 an hour. This will increase $2 every year until it reaches $15 dollars in 2018. Small businesses in New York City (which qualify as 10 employees or less) are now required to pay a minimum wage of $10.50. Another $1.50 will be added every year until that hits $15 dollars in 2019.
Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties will see a $10 dollar minimum wage with $1 dollar increments until $15 dollars an hour is met in 2021.
The minimum wage increase saw opposition from business groups, despite the governor and other state officials saying it will benefit those on the low-end of the wage spectrum.
“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 hard working New Yorkers,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.
If you are a minimum wage worker and do not receive your raise, you can report your employer by calling the Department of Labor’s hotline at (888) 4-NYSDOL.
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