This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33631609
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| New York state to raise fast food minimum wages | New York state to raise fast food minimum wages |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| New York state fast food workers' wages will eventually rise to $15 (£9.60) an hour, after a state wage board unanimously recommended the increase. | New York state fast food workers' wages will eventually rise to $15 (£9.60) an hour, after a state wage board unanimously recommended the increase. |
| New York City workers will be the first to benefit, with the increase due to be in place by the end of 2018. | New York City workers will be the first to benefit, with the increase due to be in place by the end of 2018. |
| Fast food workers in the rest of the state will have to wait until mid 2021 for the rise. | Fast food workers in the rest of the state will have to wait until mid 2021 for the rise. |
| State Governor Andrew Cuomo said the vote marked "one of the really great days of my administration". | State Governor Andrew Cuomo said the vote marked "one of the really great days of my administration". |
| The state minimum wage is currently $8.75. | |
| "You cannot live and support a family on $18,000 a year in the state of New York, period," he said. | |
| "This is just the beginning. We will not stop until we reach true economic justice," he added. | "This is just the beginning. We will not stop until we reach true economic justice," he added. |
| New York mayor Bill de Blasio said he would now push for every worker in the city, not just fast food staff, to get a higher salary. | New York mayor Bill de Blasio said he would now push for every worker in the city, not just fast food staff, to get a higher salary. |
| "This only underscores how necessary it is to raise the wage across the board. As much as fast food workers need and deserve a raise - and we know they do - we must ensure that every worker gets a living wage," he said. | "This only underscores how necessary it is to raise the wage across the board. As much as fast food workers need and deserve a raise - and we know they do - we must ensure that every worker gets a living wage," he said. |
| While Mr de Blasio has pushed for a higher minimum wage, he does not have the power to set it. | While Mr de Blasio has pushed for a higher minimum wage, he does not have the power to set it. |
| 180,000 workers | 180,000 workers |
| As a result, Governor Cuomo created the panel to look at wages in the fast food industry. | As a result, Governor Cuomo created the panel to look at wages in the fast food industry. |
| Now the panel has backed the increase, it is expected to be backed by the acting state commissioner of labour, marking the last significant hurdle before it becomes mandatory. | Now the panel has backed the increase, it is expected to be backed by the acting state commissioner of labour, marking the last significant hurdle before it becomes mandatory. |
| The move is expected to affect around 180,000 workers which are employed in the fast food industry in New York state. | The move is expected to affect around 180,000 workers which are employed in the fast food industry in New York state. |
| The decision follows similar minimum wage increases in other US cities, including Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. | The decision follows similar minimum wage increases in other US cities, including Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. |
| The University of California system earlier said that it would raise its minimum wage to $15 for all hourly workers. | The University of California system earlier said that it would raise its minimum wage to $15 for all hourly workers. |
| 'Flawed process' | 'Flawed process' |
| But the move was not universally welcomed. Restaurant owners warned that the increase would force them to either reduce their staff numbers or increase menu prices. | But the move was not universally welcomed. Restaurant owners warned that the increase would force them to either reduce their staff numbers or increase menu prices. |
| Jack Bert, a franchisee who owns seven McDonald's in New York City, said it had been "a flawed process". | Jack Bert, a franchisee who owns seven McDonald's in New York City, said it had been "a flawed process". |
| "Singling out fast food restaurants while ignoring other industries that hire workers who are paid under $15 is unfair and discriminatory, harms New York workers, and puts some New York businesses - including mine and my fellow New York McDonald's franchisees - at a competitive disadvantage," he said. | "Singling out fast food restaurants while ignoring other industries that hire workers who are paid under $15 is unfair and discriminatory, harms New York workers, and puts some New York businesses - including mine and my fellow New York McDonald's franchisees - at a competitive disadvantage," he said. |
| And Randy Maestro, a lawyer hired by a group of franchise owners, said the group was looking into whether the decision could be challenged in court. | And Randy Maestro, a lawyer hired by a group of franchise owners, said the group was looking into whether the decision could be challenged in court. |
| Do you work in the fast food industry in New York State? Or do you work in another low-pay sector in the region? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |