We're fighting to raise the minimum wage to $15 statewide for all workers.
We're fighting for tens of thousands of NYSUT members - School-Related
Professionals and paraprofessionals all across New York State. No one should
have to work multiple jobs and rely on public assistance to make ends meet.
It might surprise you to learn the statewide median starting hourly
wages for these public school employees: Food service worker = $9.57;
teacher aide = $10.76; custodian = $12.47; and clerk = $11.05. None of these
adds up to a livable wage.
A rising tide lifts all boats. A $15 minimum wage is good for New Yorkers and good
for New York's economy. Raising the minimum wage ripples throughout the workforce.
More than half of New York State workers earning less than $15 an hour are
35 or older; only one-quarter are young adults 16-25. Women make up 54% of the
low-wage workers in New York State. Many of these individuals are raising families
or want to start a family.
We have the biggest income disparity since 1928. Millions of New York workers are
not earning enough to care for their families, while pay skyrockets for the top 1%.
TAKE ACTION: Spread the word! Urge lawmakers to increase the minimum wage to $15/hr for EVERYONE
OUR STORIES
Cheryl, North Country
![fight for 15](/-/media/images/nysut/news/2016/february/news_160229_fightfor15_02.jpg)
"I'm a school and bus monitor for a public school. After 18 years I still don't make $15 an hour. For half of the year I have a second job as a short order cook, which means I'm working 14-hour days. My husband and I have three jobs between us. We utilize the land to subsidize our grocery bills. I am sad that we've never had enough money to have a
[fancy] family vacation. It takes everything we have just to pay basic
bills. I'm fighting for $15 alongside my union because the minimum
wage has not kept up with the cost of living. I'm fighting so my children
and my grandchildren won't have to work as hard as I have to now."
DeAnn, Western New York
![fight for 15](/-/media/images/nysut/news/2016/february/news_160229_fightfor15_03.jpg)
"I work as a teaching assistant and I currently make $12.36 per hour.
As a single mother, the hours that I work mirror my two sons' school
hours, which is important because child care costs are prohibitive. I
have a second job working at a shoe store to earn additional money and
perhaps as important - a discount for myself and my sons. And it is
still not enough. As an Air Force veteran who did a tour of duty in Iraq, I
have a hard time understanding why it is so difficult for me to meet my
family's financial obligations without having to rely on food stamps. I'm
fighting for $15 to provide for my family."
Dani, Southern Tier
![fight for 15](/-/media/images/nysut/news/2016/february/news_160229_fightfor15_04.jpg)
"I work as a teacher aide in a public school classroom for children with
autism. I make $9.50 an hour. I'm a single mother who, despite working
two jobs, depends on food stamps to help feed myself and my son. I'm
fighting for $15 because it would allow me and so many people in my
neighborhood to live with dignity."