By 2021, all New York State fast food employees will make $15 an hour

New York's Fast Food Wage Board announced Wednesday that it is recommending fast food chains with 30 or more stores nationwide increase employee wages to $15 an hour.

New York City workers will see their wages increase to $15 an hour by December 2018, and those living in other parts of the state will reach $15 by July 2021. Fight for $15 activists have been working on raising the minimum wage for more than a year, and members like Jorel Ware are thrilled by the victory. "This is a historical moment," Ware, a McDonald's employee, told The Guardian. "It's wonderful. I get to live on my own again. I am telling you it's a wonderful thing. When I started the fight, I just wanted something better for myself. The Fight for $15 has showed me what's possible when people stick and work together."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said he believes this will start a trend across the country, and soon other states will adopt similar standards. He also said the recommendations do not require legislative approval, and after a 15-day period for comments, the New York labor commissioner can change the recommendations before submitting them to become law.

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