New York has guaranteed there will be fewer fast food outlets and fewer fast food workers as the state's wage board voted to phase in a $15 minimum wage for workers in the fast food industry. Reuters: The three-member board was formed at the behest of Governor Andrew Cuomo in May after the state legislature turned down his proposals for minimum wage increases for most workers. Its decision does not need legislative approval, but requires approval by the state labor commissioner, which is expected. “This is going to help hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, but this is going to do something else," said a beaming Cuomo at a jubilant rally in New York City celebrating the vote. "Because when New York acts, the rest of the states follow." With the federal minimum wage at $7.25 an hour since 2009, labor and religious groups have pressed state and local governments to enact pay raises as their hopes dim for an increase by the Republican-controlled...(Read Full Post)