Raise Up NY Calls for a $21.25 Minimum Wage to Uplift Black Futures

Raise the Wage Act would increase pay for 41.8% of Black New Yorkers

NEW YORK, NY (02/24/2023) (readMedia)-- On Friday, workers and members of SEIU 32BJ, Raise Up NY, and lawmakers will hold a press conference to mark Black History Month and center the voices of Black workers in support of a higher minimum wage in New York. Members of the Raise Up NY coalition are urging state lawmakers to first raise New York's minimum wage to at least $21.25 by 2027 and thereafter adjust it automatically each year to keep pace with rising cost of living and gains in worker productivity. The coalition supports the Raise the Wage Act which would benefit 41.8% of Black workers across New York State, and put an average annual raise of $3,300 in their pockets, or an additional $63/week. In comparison, Governor Hochul's proposal would only index New York's minimum wage going forward, increasing worker pay by only $13/week.

WHO:

Directly impacted Black workers earning near the minimum wage, 32BJ, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, New York State lawmakers, Strong Economy for All, ALIGN-NY.
WHAT:

 Workers, electeds, and unions will hold a press conference to call on Governor Hochul and the New York State legislature to raise New York’s minimum wage before indexing.
WHEN: Friday February 24, 2023 at 02:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Charging Bull Statue on Wall Street
New York, New York
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