Entertainment Unions Applaud NY Gov. Cuomo; Bill Limiting Performers' Worker's Compensation Vetoed

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has vetoed a bill that would have amended the workers' compensation law as it applies to performing artist by redefining their status as employees.

The New York State Senate website describes the "purpose or general idea" of bill S4402A as follows:

This bill would amend Section 2(4) of the Workers' Compensation Law, to clarify that a musician or other performing artist who is exempt from the requirement to have workers' compensation insurance because he or she is an executive officer of a corporation who is deemed excluded from coverage under section 54(6)(c) or section 54(6)(e) of this chapter is not an "employee" of the television or radio station,
production company, or venue of the performance.

Click here for the full bill.

A joint statement from Tino Gagliardi, President of Local 802 AFM, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York; Kate Shindle, President of Actors' Equity Association; James J. Claffey, President of Local 1 IATSE; and Thomas J. O'Donnell, President of Theatrical Teamsters Local 817, reads, "On behalf of tens of thousands of workers in our state's entertainment industry, who make New York's legendary arts scene come alive, we are grateful to Governor Cuomo for protecting our state's performing artists. By vetoing this harmful legislation, Governor Cuomo has ensured that these talented and hardworking performing artists continue to be considered employees with all the protections that employment confers. We will continue to work with the governor to ensure that our performing artists receive these protections under state law into the future."