FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:

Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770

Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766

mhaller@franchise.org

jweisbord@franchise.org

@franchising411


IFA Warns New York to Reject Discriminatory Wage Increase


WASHINGTON, May 7, 2015—International Franchise Association President & CEO Steve Caldeira, CFE, issued the below statement warning New York Governor Andrew Cuomo that any increase in a city’s minimum wage should be applied uniformly to all types of businesses.


“New York State can raise its minimum wage if it wants to. But it should not pick off one industry at a time. Doing so would echo the ill-conceived action of the City of Seattle, which is being sued because it designed an unconstitutional minimum wage that rises faster for franchise businesses than other types of businesses.


“Governor Cuomo should do the right thing and consider a uniform wage increase for all businesses similar to that of Mayor Emanuel in Chicago, who heeded franchisees appropriate concerns with discriminatory treatment. Small business restaurant franchisees face the same challenges as all other small businesses.


“Mayor Emanuel was applauded because he listened to the concerns of his city’s small business franchisees. He rejected the politically-motivated, labor-backed actions of Seattle. Gov. Cuomo should do the same.”


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About the International Franchise Association

Celebrating 55 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 780,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.9 million direct jobs, $890 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.


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