File #: Res 0544-2002    Version: * Name: Increasing the state minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.75 per hour
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on State and Federal Legislation
On agenda: 10/23/2002
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Senate to adopt S.4749-A, in relation to increasing the state minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.75 per hour and indexing future increases based on the state average weekly wage.
Sponsors: Helen D. Foster, Maria Baez, Charles Barron, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Erik Martin Dilan, Robert Jackson, Margarita Lopez, Michael E. McMahon, Joel Rivera, James Sanders, Jr., Larry B. Seabrook, Albert Vann, G. Oliver Koppell, Christine C. Quinn
Council Member Sponsors: 14
Res. No. 544 Title Resolution calling upon the New York State Senate to adopt S.4749-A, in relation to increasing the state minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.75 per hour and indexing future increases based on the state average weekly wage. Body By Council Members Foster, Baez, Barron, Comrie, Dilan, Jackson, Lopez, McMahon, Rivera, Sanders, Seabrook and Vann; also Council Members Koppell and Quinn Whereas, An increase in the minimum wage would result in an improved standard of living for many households whose family breadwinners rely on minimum wage jobs to support their families; and Whereas, The minimum wage was established to retain the dignity of work, so that working men and women could care for themselves and their families, but it has not succeeded in this goal since the present minimum wage does not reflect the high cost of living; and Whereas, The minimum wage has not kept up with inflation, so in terms of buying power it is at its lowest level in many years; and Whereas, According to information provided by the New York State Assembly, if the rate had kept up with inflation, today it would be closer to $7.30 per hour; and Whereas, The states of Connecticut, Vermont, Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts have increased their minimum rate higher than the federal level of $5.15 per hour, with Massachusetts at $6.75 per hour; and Whereas, This legislation would amend the labor law to raise the New York State minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.75 per hour as of January 1, 2003, and provide that on or before January 1, 2004, and annually thereafter, such statutory wage shall be increased to reflect the increase in the state average wage for covered employment as calculated by the Department of Labor; and Whereas, On June 3, 2002, the New York State Assembly passed A.5132-B, which increases the state minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.75 per hour and indexes future increases based on the state average weekly wage; and Whereas, The New York State Senate is currently considering S.4749-A, the companion bill to A.5132-B; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Senate to adopt S.4749-A, in relation to increasing the state minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.75 per hour and indexing future increases based on the state average weekly wage. CAW LS# 1227 |1013|