Many workers in New York will increase salaries: when and by how much

Celebrating Labor Day 2023, Gov. Kathy Hokul drew attention to pay increases recently approved for workers ranging from nurses and college teachers to low-income employees. Silive has collected information about which New York workers will receive a pay raise soon.

“New York workers are not only the engine of our economy, but the teachers who educate our children, the law enforcement officers who protect our communities, the builders who take our state to new heights, and more,” Hokul said.

On Labor Day, the state paid tribute to the great achievements of the American organized labor movement and the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights and protection, reaffirming their commitment to fair wages, health care, dignity and respect for all workers.

“The union ticket remains a powerful symbol that has lifted millions of New York families, including my own, out of poverty. Our administration will continue to ensure that all New Yorkers have the benefits and opportunities they need and deserve,” the Governor added.

Increases in wages and benefits include:

Minimum wage indexation: Hokul announced that the FY 2024 budget includes a plan to help New York’s low-wage workers. Raising the minimum wage in New York for three years and then tying future increases to inflation will help employees keep up with the rising cost of living.

Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum wage will increase to $16 in New York and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, and to $15 in all other parts of the state. In 2025 and 2026 the minimum wage will increase by another $0.50 per year, after which the increase will occur at the rate determined by the CPI-W index for the Northeast region.

Ratification of the labor agreement with United University Professions: In August 2023, Hokul announced the ratification of a four-year labor agreement with the Amalgamated University Union, which includes more than 37,000 SUNY faculty and professional staff. The ratified agreement provides for an increase in wages in each year of the agreement. In addition, the agreement provides for other compensation increases: a one-time bonus and 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.

Ratification of the employment agreement with the Federation of Public Employees of the State of New York: In July 2023, Hokul announced the ratification of a three-year employment agreement with the New York State Federation of Public Employees, which includes more than 51,000 New York employees. The ratified agreement provides for an increase in wages by 3% in each year of the agreement. In addition, the agreement includes other compensation increases: a one-time bonus of $3,000 and up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.

Minimum wage increase for domestic workers: The FY 2023 Enacted Budget includes $7.7 billion over four years to raise the minimum wage for homecare workers by $3. The innovation came into force in October 2022 and will be increased and indexed annually starting from January 1, 2024.

Increasing the pay of nurses: In October 2022, Hokul announced a pay increase for nurses at New York State facilities to help improve recruitment and retention of the state’s healthcare workforce. The starting salary for registered nurses working the day shift will be nearly $90,000 in the state and $108,000 in the state with pay differentials. The pay increase will affect approximately 6,500 New York State employees at 15 state agencies.

Prevailing wages for builders: In August 2023, Hochul signed into law the Highway Quality Assurance Act, which will strengthen New York City’s construction workforce by providing prevailing wages.
Expanding Fully Paid Parental Leave: In June 2023, the Governor announced the expansion of New York City’s initiative to provide 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave to more than 80% of the state’s employees.

Gender Pay Gap Report

In March 2023, the State Department of Labor released a new report on the New York gender pay gap. The report revisited the findings of a 2018 Department of Labor survey and looked at the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on key factors traditionally associated with the gender pay gap. The report contains a number of recommendations to address this pervasive problem.

Agricultural Workers’ Pay Council: In February 2023, the Department of Labor formally adopted the final rules for overtime pay on farms, codifying Commissioner Roberta Reardon’s order that approved the report and recommendations of the Farm Workers’ Compensation Board in September.

The Regulations reduce the current 60-hour threshold for overtime pay to 40 hours per week by January 1, 2032, allowing 10 years to gradually introduce the new threshold.

Salary transparency: In December 2022, Governor Hokul signed into law New York State’s Payroll Transparency Act, which requires employers to post salary ranges for all advertised jobs and promotions.

Allocation of $2.1 billion to Excluded Worker Funds: New York State has paid almost $2 billion to more than 128,000 residents who did not receive federal assistance during the pandemic.

Help for migrants and asylum seekers

In August 2023, Hokul announced a program that will expand the state’s ability to help asylum seekers get legitimate jobs quickly. She instructed the state Department of Labor to help asylum seekers find work so they can start working as soon as they receive a federal work permit.