Minimum wage hike a ‘historic step towards equality’

"Today we made real progress in providing relief forlow-wage workers who are increasingly struggling to afford our city. Hardworking New Yorkers, that work full time jobs, must be able to provide fortheir families. It’s what is best for our economy and what aligns with our corevalues. Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour will lift millions of NewYorkers out of poverty and is a historic step towardsequality."

Background on Minimum Wage Increase:

Workers in NYC employed by businesses with atleast 11 employees: the minimum wage will increase to $11 atthe end of 2016, $13 by the end of 2017 and $15 an hour at the end of 2018.

Workers in NYC employed by businesses with10 or fewer employees: the minimum wage will rise to $10.50 at theend of 2016, $12 at the end of 2017, $13.50 at the end of 2018 and $15 at theend of 2019.

Workers employed in Nassau, Suffolkand Westchester Counties: the minimum wage will increase to$10 at the end of 2016, then $1 each year after, getting to $15 on at end of2021.

Workers in the rest of the state: theminimum wage will increase to $9.70 at the end of 2016, then another .70 eachyear after until reaching $12.50 at the end of 2020. Then indexed to $15.

An estimated 2.3 million people will be affectedby this minimum wage increase when fully implemented.

Farmworkers are including in the minimum wageincrease.