Cuomo: Should tipped workers make minimum wage

ALBANY — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says it’s time for state policymakers to consider if the longstanding practice allowing employers to pay tipped employees less than minimum wage is appropriate for 2017.

The Democrat, in his second term, the proposal as one of several measures on his 2018 agenda. He wants state labor officials to hold hearings on the so-called tipped wage, which is paid to restaurant servers and some other types of employees in service industries.

Cuomo notes that the wage is paid to a disproportionate number of women and minorities. He says he wants to ensure that employers aren’t subjecting these workers to unfair wages or exploitative work environments.

In 2015, Cumom successfully pushed through legislation that will gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $15.

[Associated Press]