Supporters of wage hike ask NY Gov. Cuomo to overrule panel

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

Supporters of a pay increase for restaurant servers want Gov. Andrew Cuomo to overrule a state board opposed to giving tipped workers the standard minimum wage.

Groups including the Hunger Action Network called on the governor Friday to require servers, hotel housekeepers and busboys to make the $8.75 minimum wage that applies to all other workers. Now, state law allows restaurants and hotels to pay tipped workers a lower wage of about $5 as long as tips make up the difference.

On Thursday a state Wage Board studying the tipped wage defeated a proposal to raise it to match the minimum wage. Instead, the board plans to consider a proposal to increase it to $7 an hour.

Cuomo’s labor commissioner will make a final decision this winter.