Governor Cuomo Vetoes Anti-Musician/Performer Legislation

Tino Gagliardi, President of Local 802 AFM, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York; James Claffey, President of Local 1 IATSE; Kate Shindle, President of Actors' Equity Association; Mike Hodge, President of SAG-AFTRA NY Local; and Thomas J. O'Donnell, President of Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 today applauded Governor Cuomo for vetoing S7709/A10283-A. This legislation, had it become law, would have stripped performing artists of important workplace protections if they are executives of their own corporations and opted out of workers' compensation coverage and would have additionally forced performing artists to be subject to new, arbitrary standards far beyond what is required of any other profession to prove employment.

Gagliardi, Claffey, Shindle, Hodge and O'Donnell said, "On behalf of tens of thousands of entertainment industry workers who make New York State an internationally renowned cultural capital, we thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for vetoing this harmful bill. This damaging legislation would have caused many workers to lose their right under the law to be considered employees, and denied them the essential protections against workplace abuse that this classification provides. We appreciate the Governor's steadfast support of entertainment workers and his respect for the role they play in driving New York's economic growth. We will continue to work alongside Governor Cuomo to ensure that New York State remains a model for fair treatment of performing artists and arts workers nationwide."