9.28.21 Advocacy Alert: NYS To Raise Minimum Wage
Blog Categories
September 28, 2021
The New York State Department of Labor announced a forthcoming increase in the minimum wage across upstate New York.
On December 31, the minimum wage in our region will rise to $13.20 per hour, a 70-cent increase from the current rate.
As part of the 2016 state budget, the Legislature approved a gradual minimum wage increase through 2020. For 2021 and beyond, the Legislature outsourced this authority to the Department of Labor and Division of Budget, who are now authorized to raise the minimum annually, up to $15/hour. The enacting bill passed 61-1 in the Senate and 104-34 in the Assembly.
The Division of Budget prepares a report on economic conditions, which informs the new minimum wage rate. In the report, DOB recommends that our region’s “minimum wage rise annually by the sum of the annual growth rates for the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers and labor productivity.”
Minimum wages around the state. Source: NYSDOL.
In the BNP’s annual Member Survey, taken last week, 45% of employers responded that they may be forced to raise wages to weather the current labor shortages. This demonstrates that employers are responding to market conditions and are raising wages accordingly, without government mandate.
Related Posts
10.13.21 Advocacy Alert: Canadian Border to Open in November
Late last night, U.S. officials announced plans to reopen the U.S. border to vaccinated, non-essential travelers from Canada and Mexico beginning in early November.
The administration told reporters last night that it does not plan to require vaccinated travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test, a notable difference from Canada’s policy for American travelers.
BNP Advocacy Insider – October 2021
The October 2021 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.
10.6.21 Advocacy Alert: Comptroller’s Report Warns of UI Rate Increases
Unless the state swiftly acts, New York employers may soon face significant unemployment insurance rate increases.
New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli recently released a report detailing the dire financial status of the state’s UI system, confirming concerns that the BNP raised this summer.
Workforce & Labor Concerns Dominate BNP’s annual Member Pulse Report
The Partnership’s annual Advocacy & Member Survey is designed to identify pain points, areas of concern, and obstacles to growth. We have summarized the 2021 results in the Member Pulse Report.
According to the survey, the top concern of Buffalo Niagara employers is their difficulty finding and retaining qualified talent.