Board meeting to consider minimum wage hike for fast food workers

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A board considering a minimum wage increase for fast-food employees is meeting to hear from workers, labor experts and business owners.

Hundreds of fast food workers gathered outside to demand a $15 minimum wage, many saying they're having trouble just paying their rent.

The board, created by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, will meet at New York University and is expected to make its recommendation to the governor later this summer.

Any increase would need the approval of Cuomo's labor commissioner but would not need legislative approval.

New York's minimum wage is now $8.75 an hour and is set to rise to $9 at the end of this year.

Fast-food workers say the current minimum wage has not kept up with the cost of living, but business owners say an increase could force them to raise prices or reduce hours for employees.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)