A Letter from Your NY Local President Ezra Knight

Dear Member,

Happiest of holidays to all! As we head into the many celebrations at year's end, I ask you, our engaged, passionate, and powerful union membership with an activist spirit, to show your strong support for the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA). This bill will allow middle-income earners to deduct above-the-line business expenses from their annual income taxes. Over the past 30 years wages have risen, but so has the cost of living. The current earnings threshold of only $16,000 is outdated and PATPA will move that threshold to a much more realistic $100,000, or $200,000 for joint filers. Take action today — contact your legislators and help spread the word. This bill’s passage would give long overdue tax relief to middle-income earners and result in more money in our members pockets.

Our advocacy has already resulted in huge progress on legislation affecting our Recording Artist and Singer members. The American Music Fairness Act, which establishes royalty payments for sound recordings broadcast on terrestrial radio, has been approved by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. Thank you to those who supported this legislation. We will keep you updated as the bill progresses.

There is also great news regarding expanded availability of health care benefits for seniors. Earlier this month it was announced that SAG-AFTRA, in partnership with the AFL-CIO, is offering NEW SAG-AFTRA Senior Benefit Plans for all Medicare-eligible members and their Medicare-eligible spouses/partners — including an option with a $0 premium. Any Medicare-eligible SAG-AFTRA members (regardless of earnings) can enroll at any time. Visit our website for details. Additionally, a reminder that earlier this year the New York State Legislature significantly improved and expanded the COBRA subsidy available to entertainment professionals who no longer qualify for health insurance from a union health plan, making COBRA significantly more affordable. 

In December and January we continue with the wages and working conditions (W&Ws) meetings for the TV/Theatrical Contracts negotiations. Details and meeting dates are available at sagaftra.org/2023ww. Thank you to those who have already participated. There is still time to voice your thoughts on how the contracts are working for you, or not, and the changes you want to see. Please join a meeting or submit proposal recommendations by email to tvtheatrical2023@sagaftra.org no later than Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.

Finally, I am thrilled to report that all SAG-AFTRA offices will begin the process of opening back up on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. In the current issue of SAG-AFTRA magazine, National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland reports, “the return to office will be an orderly and phased-in process.” In order to do things right, please remember that we’re turning on the faucet, not unleashing a waterfall. I thank you in advance for your patience as we get in person activity up and running. We will notify you as specific on-site programs and events are able to resume.

Sending you and yours joy, peace and love this holiday season.

Forward together,

Ezra Knight

New York Local President