New York raising minimum hourly wage to 15 dollars for state workers

People attend the strike in support of a $15-per-hour minimum wage in New York City, the United States, Nov 10, 2015. Hundreds of fast food workers took part in strike nationwide Tuesday, joining other workers in pressing for a more livable wage. [Photo/Xinhua]

NEW YORK - New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced that his administration is raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour for all state workers.

The increase will make New York the first state to implement a 15-dollar minimum hourly wage across all industries. It followed the minimum-wage increase for fast food workers approved earlier this year.

"I believe that if you work hard and work full time, you should not be condemned to live in poverty. Yet millions of families nationwide continue to be left behind by an insufficient minimum wage -- and it's time that changed," said Cuomo.

This plan, announced by the governor during a rally here for low-wage workers, will be implemented on the same phased-in schedule currently underway for fast food workers.

About 1,000 state workers in New York city would earn 15 dollars an hour by end of 2018; approximately 9,000 employees outside of New York City would see hourly rate increase by the end of 2021. All told, some 10,000 state employees will be benefited by the governor's action.

"Today in New York, we are leading by example and creating an economy that is defined by opportunity, not inequality," the governor said. "We are restoring the fairness and economic justice that built the American dream and standing up for what's right."