A large group of people gathered on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday to demand an increase in the minimum wage.
“And that will benefit many people, people in the restaurant industry, in the medical sector, in all sectors where the minimum wage is paid,” said Álvaro González, Organizer, Local 79.
The minimum wage workers’ unions will be present along with some of their representatives.
Like Juana Álvarez, who claims to be a cleaner.
“I have three children, I have five grandchildren and well, right now we are fighting for that and we are not fighting for our community to raise the salary,” Ms. Juana said.
She and many of these workers say it has become more difficult to provide for their families.
Now, State Senator Jessica Ramos, along with Congresswoman Latoya Joyner, has introduced new legislation on the matter.
“It’s Happening Now!! We’re in the #RaiseUpNY march to #RaiseTheWage in honor of the 10th anniversary of @fightfor15. We call on New York State Legislators and @GovKathyHochul to raise #MinimumWage! Now is the time!” reads one message on social networks from one of the organizations that participated in the protest.
It is happening now!! We are at #RaiseUpNY‘s March a #IncreaseTheSalary to honor @fightfor1510 years anniversary. We ask New York State legislators and @GovKathyHochul to raise the #Minimum salary! Now is the time! pic.twitter.com/xAWTSSA3DZ
— ALIGN (@ALIGNny) November 15, 2022
The bill would gradually raise the minimum wage to $21.25 in New York City and $20 in the state by 2026. But it would also ensure raises for workers beyond that.
“But we also want to tie it to the inflation rate, like many other states here in New York, USA. So as inflation goes up, so does the minimum wage,” the senator said.
The minimum wage changed four years ago here in town. These workers say that with the inflation we’ve seen recently, $15 can no longer buy what it could buy in 2018.
Employee.
The lawmakers’ announcement came on the 10th anniversary of when the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 began, now the fight is starting again.
“It’s not enough to pay the rent. Keep the children for this… food, receipts, tickets, because you also pay for the tickets,” added Ms. Juana.
Senator Ramos says more than 2 million workers statewide would benefit from this legislation.
“That fight to hit that $15 started in 2012. In other words, it took six years for me to hit that goal. What we’re trying to do here is a slightly different strategy,” the senator said.
His goal is to pass the law and raise the minimum wage in January, at the start of the legislative session.
