Small Businesses Opposes Wage Increase
Albany
(December 9, 2014) – The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s
leading small-business association, today urges the Hospitality Industry Wage
Board to recognize the complexities facing small business and recommend not
increasing the minimum wage for tipped employees.
“For most small businesses, New York remains
cost prohibitive. From high energy taxes
and healthcare costs to endless regulatory hurdles, the struggle to survive for
small employers is real and constantly evolving”, said Mike Durant, NFIB/NY
State Director. “Increasing the tipped
minimum wage will impact every facet of operating a small business. From reduced hours, increased consumer prices
and unfortunately lost employment, these decisions represent the reality for
small employers if the state mandates additional labor costs.”
The United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average waiter/waitress in New York
earns in excess of $11.00 per hour, which far exceeds the current tipped worker
minimum wage.
“We strongly urge
both the Governor and the members of this Wage Board to consider the facts
presented from small employers at today’s hearing. New York’s
economy has rightly been the focus of Albany the last four years. The mission is far from accomplished. With economic priorities narrow in scope and
costs still not reigned in, small employers will not be able to withstand
another Albany mandate, especially in labor costs”, said Durant.
