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Mario J. Musolino
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This page was current at the end of the official's last term in office covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates. |
Mario J. Musolino was the interim New York Commissioner of Labor from January to September 2015. Musolino's predecessor, Peter Rivera left office in early 2015, and as Executive Deputy Commissioner of Labor, Musolino took over the position. He remained in office until Rivera's successor, Roberta Reardon, was selected. Musolino then resumed his duties as executive deputy commissioner.[1]
Biography
Musolino has worked in government administration for over 19 years, including his serving as executive deputy commissioner of labor. Prior to his work at the department of labor, Musolino spent nine years as the executive director of Troy Housing Authority in Troy, New York. He also worked in the Office of Management and Budget for the city of Troy.[2]
Political career
Interim Commissioner of Labor (2015)
Musolino was appointed interim commissioner of labor in January 2015 to replace Peter Rivera. When Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) selected Rivera's successor, Roberta Reardon, Musolino resumed his duties as executive deputy commissioner.[1]
Issues
Hospitality Wage Board
On September 15, 2014, former commissioner Rivera created a three-member Hospitality Industry Wage Board to review and make recommendations for minimum wage and tip credits for workers in the hospitality industry. The board submitted its report to Musolino on February 2, 2015.[3]
The full report can be read here: Report and Recommendation of the Minimum Wage Board to the Commissioner of Labor Pursuant to Labor Law Section 655 (Article 19, The Minimum Wage Act)
Musolino signed the order implementing those recommendations on February 24, 2015. They included the following:
- Beginning in December 2015, all tipped workers in the hospitality industry in New York State will receive an hourly wage of $7.50, the first wage increase since 2011.
- A review of the system of cash wages and tip credits, to determine whether this system should be eliminated.
- Uniform tip amounts and criteria, ensuring equal rates for food service workers, service employees, and service employees in resort hotels.[4]
The text of that order can be read here: Order of Acting Commissioner of Labor Mario J. Musolino on the Report and Recommendations of the 2014 Hospitality Wage Board
Prior to the order, food service workers in New York State received a minimum wage of $5.00 an hour, and were allowed a tip credit of no more than $3.75 an hour, if tips and wages paid equaled or exceeded the hourly minimum wage of $8.75.[5]
Fast Food Wage Board
On May 7, 2015, Musolino was instructed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to create a three-member Fast Food Wage Board to make similar recommendations regarding the fast food industry. The board submitted its report to Musolino on July 31, 2015.[6]
The full report can be read here: Report of the Fast Food Wage Board to the NYS Commissioner of Labor
Musolino signed the order implementing these recommendations on September 10, 2015. They included the following:
- A commitment to increasing the minimum wage for fast food workers to $15 per hour
- A schedule of regular wage increases to introduce a $15 minimum wage for fast food workers in New York City by December 31, 2018
- A schedule of regular wage increases to introduce a $15 minimum wage for fast food workers in the rest of the state by July 1, 2021
- A formal definition of the term "fast food worker"[7]
The full report of Musolino's order can be accessed here: Order of Acting Commissioner Mario J. Musolino on the Report and Recommendations of the 2015 Fast Food Board
Recent news
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See also
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Politico, Jimmy Vielkind, "Cuomo names AFL-CIO official his new labor commissioner," accessed August 17, 2016
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Mario Musolino," accessed March 25, 2015
- ↑ Report and Recommendation of the Minimum Wage Board to the Commissioner of Labor Pursuant to Labor Law Section 655 (Article 19, The Minimum Wage Act), accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ Order of Acting Commissioner of Labor Mario J. Musolino on the Report and Recommendations of the 2014 Hospitality Wage Board, accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ Bond, Schoeneck and King, "Labor and Employment: New York Hospitality Industry Wage Board Recommends Increase in Tipped Employee Minimum Wage," accessed March 25, 2015
- ↑ New York Department of Labor, "Fast Food Wage Board," accessed June 1, 2017
- ↑ New York Department of Labor, "Order of Acting Commissioner Mario J. Musolino on the Report and Recommendations of the 2015 Fast Food Board," September 10, 2015
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Peter Rivera |
New York Commissioner of Labor January 2015-September 2015 |
Succeeded by Roberta Reardon |
