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So while we’re talking about creative work being work(!), let’s look at how some arts workers get benefits. /1
Some of us get them through unions. For the last 25 years, I have got my health insurance through one of two unions- @ActorsEquity or @sagaftra. /2
For each Union, you must qualify each year for insurance either by working a certain number of weeks (AEA) or making a certain amount of money (SAG-AFTRA). /3
This year, with the shut down of almost all theaters and the postponement of most filming, it is very hard to qualify, and even in good years, it is not easy. /4
What you will see over the next few months is millions of actors losing their insurance. I will lose mine at the end of this month. /5
We have heard next to nothing from our representatives about this crisis in our community in spite of the fact that the arts contributes $877 BILLION to the US economy. /6
We have lost our livelihoods and will lose our health care shortly. I haven’t spoken to our pensions and other benefits. /7
@NYGovCuomo while you reach out to actors to help share your message of mask wearing, perhaps consider that until the pandemic is under control, we have no work and no help. /8
PS. I have only highlighted actors in this thread because I know these unions best, but the issue is the same for everyone who is a creative worker. We have no way to make money or qualify for benefits. We closed first and will open last. /10
Creative work is WORK! /fin
