Albany, NY – In response to today’s announcement by the New York Fast Food Wage Board on raising the fast-food industry’s minimum wage to $15, fast-food workers, community leaders, elected officials and labor groups said.
Travell Caruth, an Albany Burger King worker, said: “We’ve been fighting for this moment for a long time. I look forward to the day when I won’t have to choose between paying rent or the medication needed to treat my wife’s epilepsy. This is an important, historic step in making sure working people everywhere can live with dignity and I hope Governor Cuomo follows through and accepts the $15 recommendation.”
Amanda Monroe, an Albany McDonald’s worker, said: “The Wage Board’s recommendation would be life changing. Right now, I end up in the negative at the end of every month just to pay for basics necessities. But on $15 I could cover my bills and even start saving for a better future for my son, Ocean. Every person who works hard should be able to support their family – no matter what. The $15 wage the Wage Board recommended today will go a long way to achieving that.”
Jacquie Jordan, an Albany McDonald’s worker, said: “What $15 means to me is indescribable – being able to make the bills on time, keep a roof over my family’s head and save for the future. The Wage Board did the right thing by recommending a $15 wage – now it’s up to Governor Cuomo to make it a reality. It’s time companies like McDonald’s and Burger King stop paying wages that keep tens of thousands of hard working people on welfare.
Karen Scharff, executive director of Citizen Action of New York, said: “Raising wages for the lowest paid workers will build a stronger economy for every New Yorker. Today’s historic decision wouldn’t have been possible without the fast-food workers who stood up for a fair wage – striking, organizing rally after rally and making Governor Cuomo and the Wage Board listen. Workers have shown clearly that when we fight, we win. A $15 wage in the fast-food industry means nearly 200,000 people will now be able to support and care for their families with dignity.”
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, said: “I am proud to stand with fast food workers from across New York State today, to commend Governor Cuomo on his leadership in calling for this Wage Board,” said Mayor Kathy Sheehan “A $15 fast food minimum wage will not only provide more than 180,000 New Yorkers and their families a path out of poverty, but will also act as an economic stimulus in our urban centers throughout New York State.
Assembly member Phil Steck, said: “Raising the minimum wage for employees in the fast-food industry to $15 per hour is long overdue – not only for workers struggling to provide for their families – but for the economy as a whole. This is a great first step, but we must recognize that no one who works full time should have to live in poverty. I helped pass legislation (A.7257) in the Assembly earlier this year that would have raised the state minimum wage for every worker, and I continue to believe that is the best solution moving forward. We must continue our fight to ensure everyone makes a living wage, not just those in one particular industry.”
State Senator Neil Breslin, said: “This decision will make a life changing difference for New York fast food workers and their families. This groundbreaking step will help lift many of New York’s working families our of poverty and while helping to boost our economy.”
Bill Lipton, Director of the NY Working Families Party, said: “Today, fast-food workers forcefully opened the door to a living wage for all low-income workers in New York. Two and a half years ago, $15 was considered a crazy dream – now it’s close to becoming reality for over 180,000 working families. Hopefully, not too long from now, we’ll look back with amazement that we as a society ever allowed corporations in any industry to force millions to work full-time yet still live in poverty.”
Hector J. Figueroa, president of 32BJ SEIU, said: “Today, hundreds of thousands of working men and women across New York State will celebrate as their call for 15 and a union has been heard. The recommendations put forth by this wage board will fundamentally transform the lives of fast food workers and their children, families and communities. By committing to a reasonable path to $15 an hour, New York State is leading the way and sending hope and inspiration to millions of other fast food workers and low-wage workers across the country. Our union and its members stand with those workers in their continued fight for family-sustaining wages and dignity and respect on the job. I am prouder today than ever to call New York home.”
Deborah Axt, co-executive director of Make the Road New York, said: “Today’s Wage Board announcement is an historic victory not just for fast food workers, but for all New Yorkers. For far too long the workers who serve us in fast food restaurants have struggled to put food on their own tables at home. This announcement begins the process of righting that wrong. Workers in all sectors and all corners of this state and country deserve $15 an hour, full time work, and a union, and this is a major step towards making that vision a reality. The working families of Make the Road new York thank the wage board for this precedent-setting move, urge the Commissioner to adopt it in full, and commit to continuing to fight for the legislature to implement $15 for all sectors.”
Sara Niccoli, executive director of the Labor-Religion Coalition of NYS, said: “Here in New York State, the fast food industry’s CEOs and shareholders reap in billions in profits while its workers struggle to make ends meet. This is a moral issue. It is simply wrong to allow worker poverty to be used as a business model. And today, the NYS Wage Board has the power to make it right.”
Michael Kink, executive director of the Strong Economy for All Coalition, said: “It’s a big win for workers and a big win for the New York economy: bigger paychecks for 180,000 families will bring a bottom-up boost to local businesses all over the state, while leading the way to better pay for millions more.”
Rev. Dr. Paula Gravelle, executive director of the New York State Council of Churches, said: “Today is a great day for New York. Life is about to improve for hundreds of thousands of workers who were not getting by on $8.75. This is a huge step toward a more fair and equitable economy in our state.”
Emily McNeill of the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State, said: “We are thrilled that the Wage Board heeded the call from workers, faith leaders, economists and community members for $15. The lives of fast food workers and their families in New York will be better for it, and all of us can take heart that when we come together big change is possible.”
Kate Breslin, President and CEO for Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, said: “With nearly one in four of New York’s children living in poverty, we need a multifaceted approach to family economic security. This is a start raising the minimum wage for fast food workers should lead to raising the minimum wage for all workers. New York families need a fair and just minimum wage indexed to inflation so that wages increase as costs rise and families can meet their needs.”
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