March 22, 2013
By Camille Rivera, United NY Executive Director
Camille Rivera today released the following statement regarding the reported State budget deal, which includes an incremental increase in the minimum wage to $9 per hour. Coupled with a rumored tax giveaway to large corporations that hire teenage workers, we may see hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers worse off than before.
As usual, the budget process in Albany has been opaque. But it seems like the reported minimum wage deal is missing a meaningful increase for tipped workers – a move that will essentially leave the City’s lowest paid workers in poverty.
“Our elected officials must be willing to take a stand for livable, sustainable wages for workers. These men and women prepare our food in fast food restaurants, wash our cars, and stock our groceries, and they deserve to earn wages that lift them out of poverty.”
