N.Y. State Board: Minimum Wage For Fast-Food Workers Should Go Up
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The three members of a New York state board considering minimum wage increases for fast-food workers said the wage should rise, though they haven't immediately determined how high and when.
The wage board, meeting Monday in Albany, has heard dozens of workers say they struggle to pay ordinary living expenses such as rent, utilities and transportation at the current minimum, often with fluctuating and part-time work schedules.
Mike Fishman of the Service Employees International Union says the wage should reach $15 quickly.
Kevin Ryan, chairman of the Internet firm Gilt, says the increase should be ``substantial.''
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, the third wage board member, said a raise will be recommended but one that shouldn't mean layoffs.
In May, Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed the state's labor commissioner to examine the minimum wage in the fast-food industry following demands for a minimum wage hike.
New York state's minimum wage is $8.75 and set to rise to $9 at year's end.
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