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Governor Cuomo Directs State Labor Commissioner to Convene Wage Board

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By Published: July 24 2014

LongIsland.com

Wage Board Members Will Address Wages For Tipped Workers.

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Albany, NY - July 24, 2014 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed State Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera to convene a Wage Board to review and recommend any changes to the relevant regulations for food service workers and service employees in New York State.

“When the legislature enacted my proposal to increase the minimum wage, thousands of New Yorkers saw their economic prospects improve,” said Governor Cuomo. “Now, to build on that momentum I am directing Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera to call a Wage Board and hold public hearings to ensure fairness and determine if changes need to be made to the regulations that govern the rates paid to service workers.”

On December 31, 2013, the minimum wage for all workers increased from $7.25 per hour to $8.00 per hour. This was the first in a series of three annual changes approved under the budget agreement in 2013. The minimum wage will increase to $8.75 on December 31, 2014 and again to $9.00 on December 31, 2015.

Tipped workers are paid a required base rate. Their tips added to that base pay must equal or exceed the minimum wage. The Wage Board will meet to review regulations for food service workers and service employees and recommend changes if needed.

The Wage Board, made up of members representing labor, businesses and the public, will make a recommendation to the Commissioner, who will then announce a final determination by February 2015.

“Per Governor Cuomo’s charge, I am going to convene this Wage Board to review regulations and make recommendations for service employees,” said Commissioner Rivera. “Business has changed since the last minimum wage increase. I will task these individuals with determining if the base pay for tipped food service workers should be amended and, if so, by how much.”

Members of the Wage Board will be: Heather C. Briccetti, President and CEO of the Business Council; Peter Ward, President of the New York Hotel Trade Council; and Timothy Grippen, Retired Broome County Executive.

A schedule of public hearings will be announced soon.

The Department of Labor enforces the minimum wage law. Recorded webinars, posters, summary rate sheets, frequently asked questions and additional resources for employers and employees are available on its website.