No doubt many of you have been experiencing an information overload the past few days regarding the federal legislative response to the COVID-19 crisis. Here is a specific update on the IATSE’s legislative efforts and the current state of play in Washington, DC: https://www.iatse.net/news/iatse-facilitates-80000-letters-congress-campaign-support-displaced-entertainment-workers.

 

• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) was passed into law yesterday evening. It will provide relief to workers in other industries, but the expanded paid leave benefits won’t apply to many displaced entertainment workers because of the requirements for days worked on a job to qualify. This was the second coronavirus relief bill passed into law, and work has immediately begun on a third relief package.

 

• IATSE members and supporters have sent 80,000+ emails to their Members of Congress urging inclusion of displaced entertainment workers in a coronavirus relief package. THANK YOU, to those who have sent emails and asked your local membership to do the same. Our input is critical at this juncture to ensure entertainment workers are included in the next bill. Please continue to utilize the email advocacy campaign: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-to-include-displaced-workers-in-relief-package?source=direct_link&.

 

• Congress has heard us and is beginning to respond. A congressional sign-on letter was organized by Rep. Adam Schiff and sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy with 37 signatories. The letter calls for Congress to provide economic support for arts and entertainment workers in a tailored policy that fits creative professionals' unique employment arrangements.

 

I encourage you to share this update with your members. Thank you for your continued activism to ensure entertainment workers aren’t collateral damage in the fight against COVID-19.