Union and essential workers rallied in City Hall Park to demand the state minimum wage be increased to $20.25.

Members of the Raise Up NY Coalition are calling on the state minimum wage to receive a raise of $5.25 from the current $15 per hour rate. They say the current minimum wage is not enough for current rising costs of everyday essentials like food, transportation and housing.

Home care aid Honrena Landi says it's common for her to work a 90-hour week as a home care aide, saying she does so just to provide for her family. She was joined by over 30 labor unions at today's rally, representing different sects of essential workers from different industries.

Union representatives say about 2.9 million New Yorkers would benefit from an increased minimum wage, providing an extra $3,300 for every minimum wage worker.

News 12 has reached out to the governor's office for a statement and is awaiting a response.

The New York state budget deadline was extended to April 17.