New York -- Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has issued a statement in response to the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in the House of Representatives.
"This bill contains so many provisions that Equity has been fighting for,” said Brandon Lorenz, national director of communications and public policy for Actors’ Equity Association. “Extended and increased unemployment benefits, health care subsidies, public arts funding. We have to see this through. We thank Representatives Nydia Velazquez, Bobby Scott, Richie Neal and Rosa DeLauro for their leadership, and we urge allies of theatre workers to contact their Senators and ensure that this bill reaches President Biden’s desk.”
This aid package would include:
- Increased tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that will reduce health care costs for low and middle income families.
- COBRA subsidies through September 30, 2021 that will cover 85% of premiums.
- Additional health care subsidies for those who are ineligible for COBRA.
- $135 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities for supplemental COVID relief grants.
- Extended temporary federal unemployment benefits through August 29, 2021, with a supplemental $400 per week.
- Additional relief checks for all Americans earning under $75,000.
Many of these provisions have been at the top of Equity’s policy agenda for months, including a COBRA subsidy at a time members are losing union health insurance and increased arts funding to help the theatre industry survive.
Supporters of the bill can write to their senators here.
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks
March 1, 2021
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