LOWER MANHATTAN — The city's largest business improvement district is committing to a $15 minimum wage.
The Alliance for Downtown New York, a BID organization for Manhattan below Chambers Street, announced Thursday that all of its employees will receive a base wage of at least $15 an hour.
The organization's uniformed service employees, including security guards and sanitation workers, as well as other paid-by-the-hour staff — a total of about 80 workers — will all be making a $15 rate by the end of 2018, the alliance said.
The organization said the increase is meant to be in line with Governor Cuomo's commitment to a $15 minimum wage for fast food workers and state employees, as well as Mayor de Blasio's $15 pledge for municipal workers.
"These men and women dedicate themselves each and every day in service to Lower Manhattan," said Jessica Lappin, president of the organization, in a statement. "Today, we make sure their wages reflect the significance of their work and can better support themselves and their families.”
The higher income will be phased in over time — all employees will make at least $12 per hour by the end of 2016. By 2017, their wages will be increased to $13.50 per hour before the $15-per-hour wage takes effect in 2018.
Mayor de Blasio praised the new wage.
“Nothing does more to lift up working families, and our economy, than boosting wages,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement. “That’s why the City is guaranteeing a $15 minimum wage for all our employees. Now, the Downtown Alliance is setting an example that we hope employers across the city will follow – and that will continue to build momentum toward the State and federal action we need.”
