New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced an executive order to raise the minimum wage of state workers to $15 an hour over the next few years. Speaking at a rally in Manhattan Tuesday, Cuomo said he expects other states to follow New York's lead.

"New York is not just another state," he said. "New York is the progressive capital of the nation. We fight for fairness. We fight for justice. We act first."

State workers, including office assistants, custodial workers and lifeguards in New York City will see their wages reach $15 an hour by 2018. State workers outside of the city will reach that level by the end of 2021.

Cuomo's announcement Tuesday came on a national day of action in cities across the country.

Dave Loobie, who works for UPS, joined crowds in Foley Square to show solidarity with their fight.

"Although the $15 doesn't affect me directly, it does affect me because when you see your brothers and your sisters going through the struggle, it's like you are going through the struggle also," he said.

A spokeswoman for the city said that labor agreements already put city employees ahead of the state's minimum wage phase-in.