For the past three years, fast food workers all over the United States have taken to the streets to protest over their low wages, often even lower than minimum wages in federally or state-wise - and now, the biggest victory to date comes from one of the most expensive states to live in, as New York's minimum wage in 2015 is raised by nearly $10.
For now, New York's minimum wage in 2015 stands at $8.75, although the state (more so New York City and specifically Manhattan) is among the most expensive to live in in the country; however, a panel appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo has now officially said that fast food workers' hourly rates must be risen to $15.
According to BBC, New York's minimum wage 2015 change is expected to affect around 180,000 employees in the state, in a move that Governor Cuomo calls one of the "really great days" of his administration.
However, due to preexisting laws of this nature, in fact New York's minimum wage in 2015 will remain the same, as the change is due to happen between 2018 (for NYC, as it's far more expensive to live there than in the rest of the state) and 2021.
The move would see wages ascending slowly starting December 31 this year, when New York's minimum wage in 2015 will reach $10.50 in the city and $9.75 in the rest of the state.
"There's clearly a new standard for the minimum wage, and it's actually a living wage for the first time in many, many decades," Bill Lipton, the state director for the Working Families Party, told The New York Times about the recent announcement.
According to NPR, besides New York's minimum wage in 2015, authorities in other states are currently making a move on this subject after years of workers' pressure: the University of California's President Janet Napolitano announced that wages for direct and contract employees of the U.C. system would be getting $15 an hour within the next three years, while in Washington, a new initiative that could allow $15 an hour for fast food workers went forward in D.C.
New York's minimum wage in 2015 is a major victory for fast food workers, with Governor Cuomo saying: "when New York acts, the rest of the states follow."
