Business groups that have been opposed to a minimum wage increase were uniformly displeased with the agreement in the state budget. But not all liberal organizations were happy with the outcome, either.
In a statement from the labor-aligned Citizen Action last night, Executive Director Karen Scharff was critical of the deal, which increases the hourly rate over different time periods for three separate regions of the state.
In her statement, Scharff, who is also co-chair of the labor-backed Working Families Party, laid the blame over the compromise at the feet of the Republican-controlled Senate.
“When upstate workers are condemned to poverty, our state’s economy can never thrive,” she said.
“New York City’s workers won a major victory with a guaranteed raise to $15. But, this deal shows how out of touch our state’s leaders are with the needs of upstate’s economy – compared to California, New York is a day late and $2.50 short.”
“Until control of the State Senate changes, the concerns of everyday New Yorkers will always be compromised away.”
Upstate New York will not hit $15 as quickly as the suburban counties and New York City, but rather reach $12.50 by the end of 2020. An economic analysis from the (executive controlled) Division of Budget will determine when the region north of Westchester County reaches $15.
Not all groups on the left were upset.
George Gresham, the president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the chairman of the campaign for the $15 minimum wage push named after Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s late father, praised the compromise. (The powerful health care workers union was a big financial backer of the campaign, too, and it has long been a close ally of the governor).
“With this agreement, New York is taking an historic step toward fulfilling the promise of the American Dream that if you work hard, you can build a better future for you and your family,” Gresham said.
“It is also very good news for our state’s economy, which will benefit from the increased spending power of working people who will be better able to shop in local stores, pay the rent and provide for their families,” he continued.
“This was a broad collective effort, sparked by the national Fight For $15 movement, and carried forward by thousands of community organizations, faith leaders, union members, and elected officials. What happens in New York does not stay in New York, and so through all of our combined efforts, our state is leading the way toward a more just future where hard work is rewarded with fair pay.”
Cuomo himself defended the agreement in his Red Room press conference with reporters, insisting the deal was the best he would achieve given the Republican opposition in the Senate.
The governor framed the mechanics of the bill as one that is a cautious and “responsible” approach on the wage.
“We believe the increase in the minimum wage can help the upstate economy,” he said. “But again, it’s all about that calibration and this is the smartest, safest way to go about it in my opinion.”