Actors’ Equity Association, the labor union for over 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theater, has endorsed Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine for New York City Comptroller. This endorsement represents nearly 18,000 of its members residing in the greater metropolitan area.
Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors’ Equity Association, stated: “Since his time on City Council, Mark Levine has worked closely with Equity and heard our concerns. Crucially, he understands that a strong prevailing wage has a massive impact on arts workers being able to live and ply their craft in New York. For an office like comptroller, we will be grateful to have someone who understands how our members fit into the larger economic fabric of this city.”
Mark Levine expressed gratitude for the endorsement by saying: “I’m so proud to have the support of Actors’ Equity Association. I’ve always believed that theater and live performances aren’t just entertainment – they’re economic engines for New York City. Thank you to all of the Equity actors and stage managers who make this City more vibrant every day. As Comptroller, I’ll fight to ensure all hardworking New Yorkers have the wages, benefits, and protections they deserve.”
The union’s national public policy priorities include defending collective bargaining rights, ensuring a prevailing wage in the arts sector, promoting racial justice, maintaining a strong minimum wage, advocating for increased federal and state arts funding, preventing gun violence, supporting universal federal healthcare access, ensuring tax fairness and protecting LGBTQ rights.
Actors’ Equity Association was founded in 1913 and is affiliated with AFL-CIO and FIA. The organization aims to advance its members’ careers through negotiations on wages and working conditions while offering benefits such as health care and pensions.
