Jeffrey H. Ruzal, Senior Counsel in the Labor and Employment practice, in Epstein Becker Green's New York office, was quoted by Law360 in “Battles Over Hospitality Wages May Turn on Technicalities.” (Read the full version - subscription required.)
Following is an excerpt:
Law360, New York (October 08, 2014, 3:08 PM ET) – Sideswiped by a pair of minimum wage hikes in New York City and Los Angeles, hotel and restaurant groups are gearing up for legal fights on both coasts. But the groups face uphill battles and any successes will hinge on challenging technicalities in the city processes that approved the hikes . . .
Ruzal added that the New York City living wage order, like Los Angeles' wage hike, is essentially a test initiative that is expected to precede larger campaigns to raise the minimum wages in these cities on a broader scale.
"This is the tip of the iceberg. It's very smart legislation, it's very smart politicking, in my view," Ruzal said.
Also likely to bolster city officials in any upcoming legal battle is that New York and California's initiatives are just the latest in a growing string of cities and states that are taking steps to raise wages in particular areas, according to Ruzal.
"I think these small, targeted increases are done by design and not just in New York with the idea of future citywide legislation," Ruzal said.