NY Tipped Workers To Get a Raise
NY Tipped Workers To Get a Raise
New York Governor Cuomo announced a wage increase for tipped workers at a rally Tuesday in Midtown Manhattan.
Governor Cuomo says New York will raise the minimum wage for tipped workers from about $5.00/hr to $7.50. He says it's the first wage increase for these kinds of employees since 2011.
Cuomo also announced the new wage will unify the disparity in tipped pay.
"All tipped workers in the hospitality industry will have the same rates apply to food service workers, service employees and service employees in resort hotels," Cuomo said. "There's now one wage across the board."
The wage increase has faced opposition from some restaurant and hospitality groups who fear it will hurt small business employers. But Peter Ward with the Hotel and Motel Trades Council says it will benefit New Yorkers across the state.
"Raising wages for tipped workers will allow them to provide a better life for themselves and their families; and it will lead to an injection of more consumer spending in our local economies," Ward said.
Ward says the wage increase will make New York's tipped employees some of the highest paid in the nation.
Denise Matthews works for the Grand Hyatt New York Hotel in Manhattan. She says the raise will help her afford her commute.
"Transportation is going up in the city, so it will make being able to buy a monthly pass a little easier," Matthews said.
The new wage for tipped workers goes into effect this December.
