Photo Courtesy of Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of the Governor
The minimum wage increase officially went into effect on Monday, Dec. 31.
By Forum Staff
The minimum wage increase took effect on Monday, rising to as much as $15 per hour for large employers in the five boroughs, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
In coordination with the increase, last week the State Department of Labor launched a public education campaign to raise awareness about the new minimum wage, including TV, radio, and subway ads, as well as online video. The campaign reminds New Yorkers that all minimum wage workers across the state will receive a raise effective Dec. 31, and educates them about the steps they should take if they do not receive their raises, according to the administration.
“Everyone has a right to a decent living wage, and no one working 40 or more hours a week should be living in poverty,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. “In New York, we believe in economic fairness and justice for all, and we will not stop fighting to ensure equal opportunities for everyone in our great state.”
The $15 minimum wage legislation was passed as part of the 2016-17 State budget. The phase-in schedule on a regional basis is as follows:
• For workers in New York City employed by large businesses (those with at least 11 employees), the minimum wage rose to $11 at the end of 2016, then another $2 each year after, reaching $15 on Dec. 31, 2018.
• For workers in NYC employed by small businesses (those with 10 employees or fewer), the minimum wage rose to $10.50 at the end of 2016, then another $1.50 each year after, reaching $13.50 on Dec. 31, 2018, and rising to $15 on Dec. 31, 2019.
• For workers in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, the minimum wage increased to $10 at the end of 2016, then $1 each year after, reaching $12 on Dec. 31, 2018, and rising to $15 on Dec. 31, 2019.
• For workers in the rest of the state, the minimum wage increased to $9.70 at the end of 2016, then another $0.70 each year after, rising to $11.10 on Dec. 31, 2018, and reaching $12.50 on Dec. 31, 2020—after which the minimum wage will continue to increase to $15 on an indexed schedule to be set by the director of the Division of Budget in consultation with the Department of Labor.
Cuomo also reminded workers to contact the Wage Theft Hotline (1-888-4-NYSDOL) to report employers not complying with the increase.
