EQUITY News JULY/AUGUST 2010
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JULY/AUGUST “The stage is not merely 2010 the meeting place of Volume 95 Number 6 all the arts, but is also the return of art to life.” EQUITYNEWS — OscarWilde A Publication of Actors’ Equity Association • NEWS FOR THE THEATRE PROFESSIONAL • www.actorsequity.org • Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and Additional Mailing Offices California Assembly Equity’s New Home in Chicago Committee Votes “Yes” Prepares for Grand Opening for Single Payer Plan By Pam Spitzner and building management. being “punched” into the Member Services • The second floor will be building to admit more natural n June 29, 2010 by a once again go to the Governor Coordinator, Central Region rented out in its entirety to one light, and an exciting “super majority” vote, for signature. Stay tuned. or more occupants “to be architectural feature will be “Have you moved yet?” the 19-member Earlier in the month, the named later.” multiple skylights and a “light O That’s the question Chicago California Assembly Health Western Regional Board heard • The third floor will be shaft” between the third and Equity members keep asking Committee delivered 13 “Yes” an extensive report, including an Equity’s public area, with fourth floors. Furniture from the the Central Regional staff, as votes versus six “No” votes to in-depth PowerPoint Reception, Membership and current office will be re-used excitement about our new home pass Senator Mark Leno’s presentation created by Jennie with some new additions and in Chicago continues to build. Member Services offices, and Senate Bill 810. The full passage Ford, from members of the meeting rooms. Areas of varying replacements. Unfortunately, The answer, for the moment, of SB 810 would mean the Health Care Committee about sizes will comfortably this means that the actual move is “Not yet—but soon!” establishment of a Single Payer SB 810. The Board unanimously accommodate everything from will require closing the Chicago • The four-story building at health care system in the State recommended that the National large committees and group office for a few days as phones, 557 West Randolph in the of California. This landmark Council support and endorse SB meetings to a one-on-one computers, etc. are relocated. burgeoning West Loop area, health care reform legislation, 810. At its meeting on June 15, between a member and a Ample notice will be given to our purchased last year, is in the twice vetoed by Governor 2010, Council was given the Members so they are closing stages of its rehab and staffer. It will also house the Schwarzenegger, now proceeds same presentation and Office Manager, Bonding inconvenienced as little as to the Assembly Appropriations approved the endorsement of refurbishment and its future shape is apparent. Equity will Director, Mailroom, and an possible. We promise to keep Committee for a hearing and SB 810, the Single Payer health expanded IT server area. the service interruption as short vote. Pending a successful plan that was endorsed by the occupy two and one-half floors • The fourth floor will be as we possibly can, and are Appropriations Committee vote, AFL-CIO, AFTRA and the Los of the building: home to the Central Regional comfortable knowing that if we the bill will be heard by the full Angeles County Federation of • The first floor will house an Director, and all the Business need them to, the New York and Assembly and, if approved, will Labor. enlarged and soundproofed Audition/Member Center, Reps and Contract Associates, Los Angeles offices will “cover” including a sprung floor in the as well as a file area. for us during that time. room itself, an enlarged waiting • There is also a large Watch for the FIA Endorses PWD area which will also house the basement that will be used for announcement of our Lonergan Library, two archival storage and is being “Members Only Sneak Tri-Union Campaign soundproofed warm-up rooms, considered as the home for Preview” on October 11 and and a special area to display a archival material now occupying our Grand Opening on he International of Cinema, Television and Radio Gypsy Robe. The rest of the first rented space in New York. November 1, 2010! (Dates may Federation of Actors, Artists (ACTRA), as the first floor is scheduled to house a Green practices are being change due to factors beyond Talso known as FIA, has international co-sponsor of the branch of the Actors Federal used whenever and wherever our control…but we sure hope endorsed the I AM PWD campaign, and was approved by Credit Union (including an ATM!) possible. New windows are not!) Campaign of Equity, AFTRA and the full FIA Executive Meeting at SAG. its June 26-27, 2010 session in Inclusion in the Arts & Media Copenhagen, Denmark. (See of People with Disabilities (I AM AEA’s website, The New Patient Protection PWD) is a global outreach and www.actorsequity.org, for the human rights campaign led by complete resolution.) and Affordable Care Act performers with disabilities to AFTRA President Roberta give a voice in entertainment and Reardon, AEA Second Vice By Rachel Laforest After 2016, dollar amounts media to people with disabilities President Rebecca Kim Jordan Public Policy Director will increase by the annual cost who often go unseen and and Screen Actors Guild of living adjustment. he April health care unheard. The FIA resolution President Ken Howard were article painted a broad- Exemptions achieved the support of the joined by ACTRA President stroked picture of what The following people are Canadian actors’ union, Alliance Ferne Downey and Canadian T Equity members can expect exempt from the individual AEA Vice President Kerry from our new health care mandate requirements: Davidson in sponsoring the system. This article contains an • People with low incomes resolution, which states: “Unions in-depth analysis of one who are not required to file affiliated with FIA are urged to component of the new act that taxes; bargain to ensure that may affect you: the individual • Members of certain performers with disabilities can mandate and subsidies. (Note: religions who are exempt for request reasonable The Equity-League Health Fund religious reasons; accommodations without the fear Trustees are monitoring the • People who are of losing their jobs; to free people possible impacts that the new incarcerated; with disabilities from real and Affordable Care Act could have coverage is not available to an • People who are not legal virtual discrimination; and to on our plan.) individual, he or she will be residents; allow people with disabilities to eligible for an exemption. • Members of an American compete equally for job Individual Mandate The individual mandate will Indian or Alaskan Native tribe; opportunities without facing bias and Subsidies require most Americans to have • People who go without or exclusionary practices.” (All information gathered a minimum level of health coverage for less than three “People with disabilities have from www.Healthcare.gov and insurance or else pay a penalty. (continued on page 3) an enormous contribution to voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra • In 2014 the penalty will be make to our lives and to our .../how_does_the_individual_ $95 a year or 1 percent of the Index understanding of the human mandat.html) household income, whichever is condition,” said AEA President The Affordable Care Act will greater. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act .................1 Nick Wyman. “We are delighted require most individuals who • In 2015, at least $325 or 2% at FIA’s support of our joint effort of the household income, FIA endorses PWD campaign......1 NEWS can afford it to obtain basic with SAG and AFTRA to lower health insurance coverage or whichever is greater. Letters.................................2 and remove the barriers to those pay a fee to help offset the costs • In 2016, at least $695 or From the President..................3 contributions, and we welcome of caring for uninsured 2.5% of the household income, UITY Summer Stock theatres our ACTRA brothers and sisters Americans. Subsidies will be whichever is greater (with a celebrate milestones ...............6 Q as our first international partner offered to assist with maximum penalty of $2,085 per 165 West 46th Street New York, NY 10036 Address Service Requested Second Class Postage Paid in New York, NY E Postcards from the Regions .......8 in our I AM PWD campaign.” compliance. If affordable family). 2 / EQUITY news JULY/AUGUST 2010 My condolences and deepest does this pencil have an sympathy go to his family, eraser?” U.S.Postage Letters to The Editor friends and longtime partner Allen was a standup comic, a 44 Letters received from paid up members on subjects of concern to Equity members will be considered and and companion Albert Wolsky. magician, a playwright (he published as soon as possible. The Editor reserves the right to limit letters to 150 words and to select one James Dybas starred on Broadway in his own or two representative letters when many similar letters are received. Letters must be signed, but names play, Checking Out, in 1977). I will be withheld on request for those letters which may affect members’ employment. Signatures will not became his agent during his be withheld on letters antagonistic or accusatory, either implied or expressed, against other members. Opinions Dear Editor: expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of Actors’ Equity Association. Allen Swift died on April 18, later years and experienced 2010 and Equity lost a very that special joy agents feel special fellow member. when covering their client’s FORGING NEW PATHS she didn’t give up; she gave out. He was 58. I first met Allen 50 years ago good work.