Over the past few years, numerous states and municipalities have increased the statutory minimum wage. Further, through Executive Order, President Obama increased the federal minimum wage applicable to federal contractors. Consistent with this trend, the governors of both California and New York have now reached new legislative deals with their respective legislative branches which provide
governor cuomo
New York “Fast Food Wage Board” Formally Convened
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in New York State
Responding to the Governor’s directive, Acting State Labor Commission Mario J. Musolino has empaneled a Wage Board to recommend a minimum wage increase for the fast food industry. Commissioner Musolino issued a determination regarding the inadequacy of the current minimum wage which states, “I am of the opinion that a substantial number of fast…
Governor Cuomo Announces Wage Board to Review “Fast-Food Industry” Minimum Wage
By Noel P. Tripp on
In an op/ed piece appearing in yesterday’s New York Times, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he would direct the Commissioner of Labor to convene a new Wage Board “to examine the minimum wage in the fast-food industry” in New York state. The Commissioner’s announcement follows on the heels of a separate op/ed suggesting…
NY Legislature, Governor Cuomo Reach Agreement On Repeal of Annual Wage Notice
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in New York State
Business advocacy groups advise that the New York Legislature and Governor Cuomo have reached agreement on the Legislature’s already-passed legislation repealing the Wage Theft Prevention Act’s annual notice requirement. Indeed, the Legislature’s web site confirms that S.5885-B has been delivered to the Governor. Business groups believe a “chapter amendment” will be forthcoming in…
With WTPA Amendments In Limbo, New York Employers Must Prepare for Another Round of “Those (Annual) Notices”
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in New York State
Despite passage in June by both chambers of the New York State Legislature, legislation repealing the 2011 Wage Theft Prevention Act’s “annual wage notice” has yet to take effect. In fact, as of this writing, Governor Cuomo has not been presented with the bill for signature. Because the legislation only takes effect 60 days after…
Proposed Amendment To New York’s Wage Theft Prevention Act A Mixed Blessing for Employer Community
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in New York State
Following several rounds of lobbying and legislative proposals, both houses of the New York State Legislature this week passed a bill repealing the annual wage notice requirement (requiring a written notice during the month of January regardless of the timing of pay increases or date of hire) codified in New York Labor Law § 195…
New York City, State Legislatures Pass Bills
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in New York State
As expected, the New York City Council has overridden Mayor Bloomberg’s veto, making the Earned Sick Time Act law in New York City. At the state level, the legislature has passed a measure called the Commercial Goods Transportation Fair Play Act. Like its namesake the Construction Industry Fair Play Act, this measure addresses…
Progress Towards NY Minimum Wage Hike
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in Minimum Wage, New York State
Reports indicate that the New York State legislature and Governor Cuomo have tentatively reached agreement regarding the terms of the anticipated proposed increase in the state’s minimum wage. As portrayed in news coverage, the latest proposal would increase the minimum wage to $8/hour in 2014, $8.75/hour in 2015 and $9/hour by 2016, but not tie further…
Governor Cuomo Signs Into Law Amendment to NY Deductions Statute
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in New York State
Governor Cuomo has signed into law the recently-passed bill amending New York Labor Law § 193. Based on the signature date of September 7, the new law – expanding the scope of permissible deductions under Section 193 to include, among other things, recoupment of overpayments to employees – takes effect on November 6, 2012. At present…
New York Legislature Amends Deduction Statute, Providing Greater Flexibility
By Noel P. Tripp on
Posted in New York State
The New York state legislature has passed the proposed amendment to N.Y. Labor Law § 193, broadening the scope of permissible deductions from wages under New York law to include, among other items, recoupment of overpayments based on clerical errors. The amended statute will also permit deductions to pay for certain common employer-provided benefits, such…