Fast-food workers rally before wage meeting in NYC
NEW YORK - Hundreds of fast-food workers on Monday rallied in Manhattan to demand a $15 minimum wage before spilling into a wage board meeting.
The board, created by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has also been hearing from labor experts and business owners.
Venture capitalist Nick Hanauer cited Seattle and San Francisco as examples of a successful wage increase.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently signed an ordinance that raises the minimum wage in the city to $15 an our by 2020.
However, the head of the New York State Restaurant Association said those cities are nowhere near $15 and are gradually building up to it.
Melissa Autilio Fleischut said the association would be more comfortable with that approach.
The Service Employees International Union said the issue involves 180,000 fast-food workers looking to be paid a living wage.
"If Governor Cuomo wishes to advance a wage increase, it should cover all of New York's businesses, not just a select few," the International Franchise Association said in a news release.
Any increase would need the approval of Cuomo's labor commissioner, but would not need legislative approval.
New York's minimum wage is now $8.75 and is set to rise to $9 at year's end.
The debate in the Big Apple comes three days after Moody's Investors Service weighed in on the issue, saying casual-dining chains in particularly would have their margins dented as cities and states around the country hike the minimum wage.
Labor groups, however, said the Moody's report failed to take into account the decreased costs that come with less employee turnover and increased productivity that come with increased pay.