BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As of December 31, WNY workers will get a little extra help making ends meet. It's all part of the plan to increase the statewide minimum wage to $15.
Depending on where you live, the wage increases differ. Here in WNY the wage is going from $11.10 to $11.80
| 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | |
| Outside NYC | $12.00 | $11.80 | $12.50 |
| Long Island & Westchester | $12.00 | $13.00 | $14.00 |
| Large Employers NYC | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Small Employers NYC | $13.50 | $15.00 | $15.00 |
Governor Andrew Cuomo's goal is to help working families. These changes will keep happening, but small businesses in our area say it's not an easy adjustment to make.
"Being able to offer competitve wages, it's always challenging because it's not just the wage, it's everything associated with it. Insurances, taxes," said Gaetana Schueckler, Co-Owner of the TreeHouse Toy Store on Elmwood.
To adjust, most small businesses have a shorter staff. Other local business owners don't mind the change.
"It doesn't change how I pay people, I always pay people over minimum wage. I don't think this is damning to any business, it shouldn't be," said Therese Deutschlander.
For more information on the wage increases, click here.
