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After more than a year of organized action, fast food workers in New York are about to get what they have been demanding: a $15 minimum wage.

The Fast Food Wage Board appointed by New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that they are recommending a new $15 an hour minimum wage for fast food workers employed by chains with 30 or more stores nationwide.

Those working in New York City will see their wages increase to $15 an hour by December 2018, whereas those working in the rest of the state will see their wages increase at a slower pace and will reach $15 by July 2021.

Continue reading:  New York state fast food workers celebrate $15 minimum wage victory

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7 thoughts on “New York state fast food workers celebrate $15 minimum wage victory”

    • From the article:

      “Those working in New York City will see their wages increase to $15 an hour by December 2018, whereas those working in the rest of the state will see their wages increase at a slower pace and will reach $15 by July 2021.”

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      • And that is what got me thinking. 2021 is 6 years away. Allowing for inflation and rise in living standards, by that time they will need more than the 15$. Maybe I am wrong or don’t understand the us economy

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        • You are correct. Inflation will erode the buying power of that $15 wage set for 2021. What you might not be considering is threefold:

          1) Fast food workers in NYC, which represent the bulk of such jobs in the state, will reach $15/hour in 2018 where the cost of living is comparatively much higher.

          2) Inflation rates in the U.S. have been relatively low since the Great Recession (primarily due to economic conditions which have weakened the middle class and have exacerbated income inequality).

          3) The American political system is now so intertwined with big business that doing ANYTHING in favor of workers and consumers is considered an anathema. Frankly, I’m very surprised that corporatist Governor Cuomo agreed to this minimum wage hike.

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