Senator Webb and Assemblymember Meeks Join the SAG-AFTRA, WGAE, & Labor Coalition Picket Line in NYC in Support of Striking Workers

ALBANY, NY - On Thursday, New York State Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Demond Meeks joined the picket line in support of striking workers from the Writers Guild of America (WGA), the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), and the NYS AFL-CIO & NJ AFL-CIO, who are leaders of the Film and Labor Coalition. Photos here. 

Said Senator Lea Webb, “I am proud to stand in solidarity with these workers who have been fighting so hard to protect the future of movies and television. New York is proud to be an important part of the tv and movie industry. We are also proud to be a state that stands up for its workers. This legislation is by no means anti-tech, but rather designed to ensure that New York workers have strong protections, including meaningful, informed consent and compensation when it comes to their image, voice, likeness, and written words.”

Said Assemblymember Demond Meeks, “ I am honored to join Senator Lea Webb as the Assembly sponsor of bill A7634/S7422. This legislation prohibits applicants of the Empire State film production credit from using artificial intelligence that would displace any natural person in their production. As changes in technology reshapes our workforce, many New Yorkers still go without fair wages and benefits. New York State being a major hub for productions in television and film, it is important that we protect something as innate as a worker’s artistry and talents from being used without adequate compensation. I am proud to support workers in their right to organize and take needed actions in securing fair contracts.” 

Background:

Legislation carried by Senator Webb and Assemblymember Meeks (S7422/A7634) would prohibit applicants of the Empire State Tax Credit from using artificial intelligence that would displace any human being in their productions. The legislation is not a prohibition on AI or tech, but simply enacts strong protections to ensure that workers are informed and have the ability to consent and be fairly compensated for the use of their image, voice, or likeness. 

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