Thanks to Senator Schumer for Working on Our Behalf

Yesterday, I had the honor of speaking on behalf of SAG-AFTRA members at a press conference hosted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer about the Entertainment, Media and Arts recovery.

In our hearts, we are not only artists, but workers.

I want to take you back to that moment when all of the arts, entertainment, and media industry was shut down. The lights went off in movie theaters. No more bright light reflected off movie screens. All music venues closed. Broadway and live theater shut down —not just in New York, but all across the country. As the people who make our living making the things that make life fun — that bring stories to life — we had to stop working.

But Senator Schumer was there. Senator Schumer immediately reached out to labor unions in this state and around the country to ask how he could help. And that matters - because we won’t have a real recovery until we bring back business and help the working people in New York State and this country. Real recovery means bringing back the arts and the American Rescue Plan is an important first step.

Fellow union members Lisa Fischer, Adrian Martinez and I had the opportunity to thank Senator Schumer and Congress for working with SAG-AFTRA to create and continue programs that have protected our members and the entertainment industry throughout the pandemic including the American Rescue Plan, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation, COBRA subsidies, Save Our Stages amongst other critical legislation.

While there is still more to be done, it seems fitting that today on the anniversary of the birth of SAG-AFTRA that we take a moment to acknowledge how far we’ve come in these last nine years and the many successes that would not have been possible had we not united our unions.

Shifting gears to other important news, all New Yorkers age 30 or older are able to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, and all New Yorkers age 16 or older will be eligible on April 6. Eligible New Yorkers can make an appointment at ny.gov/GetVaccinated or by calling the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at (833) NYS-4-VAX/(833) 697-4829.
 

In New Jersey, beginning Monday, April 5, individuals aged 55 and older, additional frontline essential workers, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities 16 and over will be eligible to book appointments. Detailed information is available at covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine.
 

For our members living in Connecticut, all individuals age 16 and over will be eligible beginning Thursday, April 1. More information is available on their website at portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/.
 

Whether you are eligible now or will be soon, be sure to schedule your vaccine appointment so we can get back to the people and things we all love.
 

Onward together,

Rebecca Damon
New York Local President