ALBANY, N.Y. — A state oversight board has upheld New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration’s decision to raise the minimum wage for many fast-food workers to $15 an hour over three years in New York City and six years elsewhere.
The New York Industrial Board of Appeals on Wednesday rejected the National Restaurant Association’s arguments that that the wage order was unconstitutional, arbitrary, unsupported by the evidence and focused improperly on employers affiliated with fast-food chains with more than 30 locations.
Many fast-food workers told the board that the current $8.75 wage forces them into poverty.
The minimum wage will rise to $9 at the end of this year for most workers under New York law.
About 200,000 fast-food employees will see their minimums rise then to $10.50 an hour in New York City and $9.75 elsewhere.
