June 4, 2013

New York State Minimum Wage to Increase

by Salvatore Gangemi of Murtha Cullina LLP

Earlier this year, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation increasing the New York State minimum wage in three stages. Currently, the New York and federal minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour. The legislation was included in the new budget, and provides that the minimum wage rate will increase to $8.00 on December 31, 2013; to $8.75 on December 31, 2014; and to $9.00 on December 31, 2015.
Excluded from the increase is the minimum wage currently paid to food service and other tipped employees. It appears, however, that minimum wage increases to these employees will be implemented in the future.
As a result of the New York minimum wage increases, as of December 31, 2013, New York’s minimum wage rate will be higher than that under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). New York employers will be required to comply with the higher minimum wage rate.

Salvatore G. Gangemi

Salvatore G. Gangemi is a Partner in the Litigation Department of Murtha Cullina and a member of the Labor and Employment Practice Group. Sal advises clients with respect to state, federal and local employment laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, and New York State and City employment laws. Sal counsels clients on day-to-day issues involving workplace management and administration, including requests for reasonable accommodation for disabilities, for family and medical leave, and wage and hour issues. Sal frequently lectures on employment law matters, and at continuing legal education seminars. He has written extensively on employment law issues as well as other legal issues affecting individuals and businesses.