Minimum Wage Increse Takes Effect

The federal minimum wage increases to $7.25 per hour effective July 24^th thereby increasing the New York State minimum wage to the same rate. Compliance with the new law requires increases wages to meet the new minimum wage and it requires posting of the new minimum wage poster. We have attached the poster provided by the New York State Department of Labor.

In addition to the new minimum wage, rates for tip allowance, uniform maintenance, meal allowance and lodging allowances have also increased. Those new rates are listed in the Summary of Restaurant Industry Wage Order Rates and Allowances. There may be additional changes to the Wage Orders once the required Wage Boards complete their work.

We have joined with several other groups to protest the Department of Labor’s failure to provide notice to business in a timely fashion. The Department’s response was rude and condescending, suggesting our members should have known that the increase was scheduled to take effect and that the Department had no obligation to provide any notice. We have taken this issue directly to the Governor’s office and are making plain to them that this type of behavior is representative of the way small business is treated by government and cannot be accepted.