New York Lawmakers Push to Raise Wages at Biggest Chains

A group of Democratic lawmakers from New York City on Wednesday announced a new push to raise the minimum wage for many low-paid workers, calling for a $15-an-hour “fair wage” for employees of McDonald’s and Walmart and other businesses with yearly sales of $50 million or more.

“We shouldn’t have the largest, most profitable companies be the ones that most squeeze their workers,” said State Senator Daniel L. Squadron at a news conference on the steps of City Hall.

Mr. Squadron’s bill, whose backers include State Senator Liz Krueger of Manhattan and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic of Queens, would also apply to chain stores and restaurants with at least 11 locations nationwide, including their franchisees, and businesses involved with transportation like subcontractors at airports. Manufacturers would be exempt.

The bill will face an uphill climb in Albany, where the Legislature last year approved letting the minimum wage rise to $9 an hour. Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a Democrat, and legislative leaders quickly shot down a proposal by Mayor Bill de Blasio to let New York City set its own minimum wage.

A spokesman for Senator Dean G. Skelos, a Long Island Republican who shares control of the Senate with Jeffrey D. Klein, a Bronx Democrat, said Mr. Skelos opposed Mr. Squadron’s bill. Spokesmen for Mr. Cuomo, Mr. Klein and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver all said they would review it.

Mr. Squadron, who represents parts of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, said that he also supported raising the minimum wage, but that fast-food restaurants and big-box stores were in a particularly good position to pay higher wages.