More than $18 million in back wages recovered, state says

During the committee’s four-hour discussion, representatives of workers and employers debated the wage issue fiercely and eventually decided to shelve it for the time being. Yet, despite the usual warning from the Chicken Littles at the National Association of Manufacturing that the hike would prove “a reckless jolt to the economic system”, unemployment plummeted, from 5.9 percent in 1949 to 2.9 percent in 1953.

The impact on employees making more than the new minimum – does the manufacturer leave those employees “as is”, raise those employees’ wages by a similar amount or adopt a “middle of the road” approach?

Mrs Fox says the bill will close up the loophole on contractors who are now being paid less than the minimum wage of $14.75. The Māori Party will continue to keep the pressure on raising the minimum wage.

During the first six months of 2015, the state Labor Department recovered more than $18.1 million for almost 19,000 workers who were not paid the proper minimum wage, overtime or fringe benefits, officials reported.

Last week the Wendy’s Company did a public service on its second-quarter earnings call by explaining how mandated wage hikes will lead to fewer jobs for the low-skill workers that progressives claim to be helping.

How is this possible? Living wages in the fast-food industry are simply good for business.

Cuomo is focusing more resources on worker exploitation and wage theft in the state with the creation of an inter-agency task force to pursue complaints. The sky won’t fall, but the poverty rate will. And all New Yorkers, workers, tax-payers, and businesses – whether they’re in New York City or Rochester – will be better off as a result.