New Yorkers give thumbs up to $15 per hour wage increase

New Yorkers see no problem in paying more for fast food items just so fast food workers can earn more.

Last month, the New York State's wage board approved the much controversial $15 per hour minimum wage for fast food workers and such wage increase would mean an increase of 4.3% in fast food prices.

A poll conducted by Quinnipiac University showed that 73% of New York City voters support the raise of minimum wage for fast food workers to earn $15 per hour. There might be some respondents that oppose the issue but regardless of gender, age, racial or borough groups, the wage increase is supported by wide margins.

A large number of New York voters say they are willing to pay more to help fast food workers earn more.

What's more interesting, according to the same poll, only 33% of Big Apple residents consider the city's quality of life "very good" or "good," which seems to be the lowest figure ever recorded by Quinnipiac.

Seattle and San Francisco already adopted the $15 wage increase that resulted in a 4.3% increase of food prices in fast food restaurants.

The wage hike's relationship to food price is minimal. One good example is the Big Mac from McDonalds that usually costs $3.99 but could jump to $4.16 after a wage hike, according to a study made by the researchers at Purdue University's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

In addition, health care benefits for fast food workers at restaurants with less than 25 full-time employees will have small price effect due to current tax credits in the Affordable Care Act. The study depended on the National Restaurant Association data and from Healthcare.gov the examined information in determining the price impact when health-care insurance is offered.

The wide protests earned great victories for the $15-an-hour minimum wage.

In the coming days, New York will be next in the list to adopt the wage increase for fast food workers. By the year 2021, Los Angeles County will raise its minimum to $15 for all its workers, which is the same thing done by Los Angeles.