Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1251534
sagaftra.org | Spring 2020 | SAG-AFTRA 24 After Concerns, Gig Economy Law Gets Revamp O n April 17, California Assembly leaders reached agreement on a proposal aimed at providing more flexibility for music industry workers. The proposal would amend AB5, the gig-economy law recently passed. AB5, spearheaded by Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez and Majority Leader Ian Calderon, targets companies such as Uber and Lyft that attract "gig" workers. It makes it harder for these companies to classify workers as independent contractors, meaning they would be considered employees and entitled to benefits like minimum wage and paid sick days. The law, which went into effect at the start of the year, was of great concern to members of the music community, including recording artists, musicians, producers and songwriters, who often get together for one-off collaborations. AB5 would have forced employer-employee relationships in circumstances where that legal status made no sense, and it would have inhibited, rather than encouraged, creative collaboration. Under the amended language, these individuals will have more flexibility to collaborate together and perform without losing the ability to organize with unions, and demand fair wages under the law. The new language was negotiated by SAG-AFTRA, the Recording Industry Association of America, the American Association of Independent Music, Music Artists Coalition, Independent Music Professionals United, Songwriters of North America, American Federation of Musicians, Recording Academy, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the Teamsters. "Keeping the music industry strong in California, maintaining our ability to protect and organize the work of recording artists and singers, and allowing the creative community to thrive makes this a real and timely win for us all," said SAG-AFTRA Chief Deputy General Counsel Jeffrey Bennett. THINKSTOCK.COM site coordinator for the popular Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program in New York. With the income tax filing date extended to July 15, Karas led more than 1,200 members through filing their taxes, with many more viewing the archived livestream. More than 5,300 SAG-AFTRA and IATSE members tuned in concurrently May 12 for a joint virtual town hall with U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, Hollywood's representative in Congress, to discuss the impact of COVID-19, future government relief efforts, and the process of getting the entertainment and media industry back to work. "[We're] all taking the need to make sure worker safety is covered in our legislative work product if we're going to be serious about reopening," said Schiff. On May 19, the PTEOE presented Self-Tape Like a Pro, featuring leading commercials casting director Arlene Schuster, CCDA. Schuster not only covered the basics of lighting, sound and framing shots, she shared insider tips from her nearly 30 years as a casting director. Demonstrating the demand for this type of content, Schuster's workshop was viewed concurrently by 4,600 members. Watch your email, sagaftra.org and your member app for details on upcoming PTEOE livestreams. And check out youtube.com/sagaftra for recordings of past events. PTEOE continues from page 23 REAL ID Deadline Extended D ue to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of Department of Motor Vehicles locations throughout the country, the deadline for the Department of Homeland Security's Real ID requirement has been extended to Oct. 1, 2021. It is from this date forward that every traveler age 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (or other accepted form of valid ID) to fly within the United States. A regular driver's license or state-issued ID will no longer be an acceptable form of identification at the airport, but a valid passport will be accepted. Individuals who do not have a REAL ID or passport will not be permitted to enter the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint and will not be allowed to fly.