Los Angeles – Actors’ Equity Association announced that the union has endorsed Adam Schiff for the United States Senate ahead of California’s March 5 primary election.
"In Congress, Adam Schiff has been a strong and reliable ally for so many of us who work in the arts," said Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association. "Rep. Schiff’s work on pandemic unemployment issues during COVID was critical in ensuring that arts workers were able to receive the same unemployment benefits as traditional workers when our industry was shut down. Even in a crowded field, Adam Schiff stands out as a legislator who has been there for creative professionals again and again. From walking the picket lines to championing tax fairness, Schiff has made it a priority to fight for the arts. He's been a proactive leader on our core issues, and we are proud to support his campaign for Senate."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Rep. Schiff played a critical role in adding provisions to the CARES Act that ensured "mixed earners" who had both W-2 and 1099 income would be eligible for an additional $100 a week in federally-funded unemployment benefits – which could add up to as much as $7,900 in additional benefits. Previously, arts workers with mixed incomes were unable to access the full pandemic support intended by Congress.
Schiff has also been an early cosponsor of the bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Party Act, which would finally restore tax fairness for entertainment workers by allowing the deduction of essential work expenses.
Equity’s endorsement adds to the 13 statewide labor organizations and 21 local unions in California that have supported Schiff’s campaign.
Equity’s federal public policy priorities include tax fairness, defending and protecting the right to collectively bargain, a prevailing wage in the arts, racial justice, a strong minimum wage, stronger federal and state arts funding, gun violence prevention, universal federal health care and LGBTQ non-discrimination protections.
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
January 8, 2024
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