New York, NY – On Monday, January 4th 2016, Assemblyman David Weprin (D - Richmond Hill) joined Governor Andrew Cuomo, U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Congressman Gregory Meeks & other elected officials at the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Headquarters in Manhattan to rally in support of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s campaign for a statewide $15 minimum wage.

The ‘Mario Cuomo Campaign for Economic Justice’ is a broad effort by Governor Cuomo to increase the statewide minimum wage to an hourly rate of $15 and follows the Governors’ actions to increase the minimum wage for fast food workers and SUNY employees to $15/hour.

Joining Assembly member David Weprin & the aforementioned advocates was a diverse group of supporters, including 1199SEIU President George Gresham, union representatives from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East & 32BJ SEIU, and Actor Steve Buscemi.

"Today's minimum wage still leaves far too many people behind – unacceptably condemning them to a life of poverty even while they work full-time," Cuomo said.

Speaking after the event, Assemblyman Weprin said “All hard-working New Yorkers deserve a living wage. Currently, there are far too many Queens residents that are working two, or sometimes even three, jobs to make ends meet. I applaud Governor Cuomo for organizing today’s rally and I am proud to support the Governor’s office in this fight for a statewide minimum wage of $15 an hour.”