Like it or not, the New York State Fast Food Wage Board has recommended that the minimum wage be increased to $15 for fast food workers. The recommendation is seeking approval by the state’s labor commissioner. Now the question is, where is the line drawn for ‘fast food’, and what happens to those who are working equally hard (or harder) for minimum wage, which is currently $8.75 an hour, in other fields?
City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown stated, “It was an honor to chair the New York State Fast Food Wage Board. Today, I and the other members of the board recommended an increase in the minimum wage for fast food workers – which is good for men and women in New York State and done in a way that will ultimately support and strengthen business growth in the State of New York. With this recommendation, New York makes history, phasing in the highest minimum wage in the United States of America. I thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for his leadership and directing the establishment of the Fast Food Wage Board.”
We all knew that it was coming. Now it’s pretty much here. How will the fast food industry act, moving forward? Will restaurants change over to touch screen cashiers? That’s just one possibility. Will fast food restaurants still be able to sell a box of nuggets and a burger with soft drink for $2? Maybe, in the end, if the food prices rise, more people will not rely on them for daily sustenance, and American’s health will improve? At this point, there appear to be a lot more questions than answers.