Featured Stories
UFW condemns brutal ICE surge in Central Valley; calls on Valadao's comments as 'insulting' to his constituents
KEENE, California, Oct. 10 [Category: Union] -- The United Farm Workers issued the following news release:
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UFW condemns brutal ICE surge in Central Valley; calls on Valadao's comments as 'insulting' to his constituents
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The below statement is attributable to UFW President Teresa Romero.
"Warrantless stops and roving patrols by masked federal agents across California, especially the Central Valley have been terrorizing farm workers for the past 5 days, and the chaos is escalating. The UFW has been responding in real time out of our Madera and Delano offices this week. Our union members
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KEENE, California, Oct. 10 [Category: Union] -- The United Farm Workers issued the following news release:
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UFW condemns brutal ICE surge in Central Valley; calls on Valadao's comments as 'insulting' to his constituents
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The below statement is attributable to UFW President Teresa Romero.
"Warrantless stops and roving patrols by masked federal agents across California, especially the Central Valley have been terrorizing farm workers for the past 5 days, and the chaos is escalating. The UFW has been responding in real time out of our Madera and Delano offices this week. Our union membershave been directly impacted, subjected to suspicionless stops, warrantless detention, blatant racial profiling and brutal arrest on rural roads serving agricultural worksites.
The UFW is working around the clock to assist detained individuals and gather testimony to document civil rights violations of Central Valley residents, including people with long term legal status. In some cases, impacted workers have already been released, but others have been rapidly transferred out of state.
These are not criminals. These are hard-working, long term members of our communities being unlawfully targeted simply for looking Latino and working class. We are seeing car windows being smashed and farm workers dragged from vehicles in the middle of the road while on their way to work. The reckless and chaotic tactics being used are a danger to public safety and in clear violation of the law.
Widespread reports describe a California-wide "surge" through November, with agents being told to "go after anybody." (source: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/infrastructure/4757848/ice-operation-underway-california-go-after-anybody/ )
Some cowards holding elected office in California are siding with this dangerous bullshit instead of protecting Californians. We note the statement of incumbent Republican Congressman David Valadao, claiming that the Department of Homeland Security informed him that "these operations are focused on individuals with active warrants and known criminal histories". The UFW knows from the direct experience of our members that this is not only false, it is insulting.
Our union members who have been stopped are not being asked for by name, nor are they presented with warrants or any other justification for being detained. Our members are being stopped because they look like farm workers, driving down county roads early in the morning -- the way every hard-working farm worker in the Central Valley does.
By parroting the lawless and racist Trump administration's lies, Congressman Valadao proves himself either irreparably ignorant, maliciously dishonest, or both. Terrorized farm worker communities are being slandered and called criminals by their own congressional representative, who is too much of a coward to defend his own constituents. Valadao's statement also reads: "Hardworking farmworkers who are simply going to work, providing for their families, and contributing to our agricultural economy should not have to live in fear." This is true, and contradicts his own position.
Representatives elected by Californians need to represent Californians. Our members are the backbone of the CA-22 district, where they have homes, families and are the backbone of the agricultural economy. Farm workers belong here. ICE agents and David Valadao do not.
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Original text here: https://ufw.org/ufw-condemns-brutal-ice-surge-in-central-valley-calls-on-valadaos-comments-as-insulting-to-his-constituents/
NEU Warns Rising UK Military Spending Risks Further Pressure on Education Funding
LONDON, England, Oct. 10 (TNSrpt) -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
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NEU warns rising UK military spending risks further pressure on education funding
09/10/2026
A new report from the National Education Union argues that decisions about defence spending must be weighed against their impact on education, public services and international development.
The Security We Choose: The opportunity cost of UK military spending on education and human security(attached) examines what the UK's commitment to increasing core defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP by
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, Oct. 10 (TNSrpt) -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
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NEU warns rising UK military spending risks further pressure on education funding
09/10/2026
A new report from the National Education Union argues that decisions about defence spending must be weighed against their impact on education, public services and international development.
The Security We Choose: The opportunity cost of UK military spending on education and human security(attached) examines what the UK's commitment to increasing core defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP by2035 could mean for other areas of public expenditure. It also asks who will bear the costs.
The NEU recognises that the UK Government must be able to respond to genuine military threats. However, the report argues that security cannot be achieved via military spending alone. It makes the case for a broader, people-centred approach to security. It highlights the vital role that education and public services, international cooperation and diplomacy play in building sustainable security.
Ahead of the autumn Budget, the NEU is calling on the government to protect and increase investment in education and public services rather than fund rising defence spending through cuts.
The union argues that these are not competing priorities but priorities that will contribute to social cohesion and security.
Key statistics
* The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that meeting the government's defence spending target by 2035 will require pound sterling36 billion a year in additional spending in current terms (from a 2025 baseline).
* Spending power for mainstream schools in England has fallen by pound sterling4.5 billion and experienced teacher pay has fallen by more than a fifth in real terms since 2010.
* International development has been hit heavily to fund the initial increase in defence spending, with pound sterling4.8 billion shifted away from the official development assistance budget in 2026-27, and a further pound sterling6.5 billion due to be moved from development to defence in 2027-28.
* Just 1.5 days of global military spending in 2025 would be enough to fund an entire year of the amount governments gave in aid to education globally.
New NEU analysis shows what pound sterling36 billion could achieve if such an investment was dedicated to education:
* Reverse real-terms losses to school spending power in England (pound sterling4.5 billion)
* Eliminate the 2026-27 SEND funding gap for local authorities (pound sterling3.7 billion)
* Clear the maintenance backlog for all schools in England (pound sterling13.8 billion)
* Fund universal free school meals through year 11 (pound sterling3 billion)
* Restore overseas aid to education to peak levels (pound sterling1 billion)
* Fill the funding shortfall for music education (pound sterling0.2 billion)
Commenting on the report, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"The NEU has had to fight hard for every additional pound invested in education after years of austerity and underfunding. Yet, when it comes to ever increasing military spending, public spending constraints become a secondary issue.
"An additional pound sterling36 billion per year is at risk of being taken from government departments and stretched public services to meet the government's commitment to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035. That same level of investment could transform educational opportunities for millions of children.
"The NEU is deeply concerned by the impacts of armed conflicts around the world. Schools are being destroyed, education is being interrupted, and humanitarian crises are deepening. The UK government has slashed overseas aid by 40 per cent to fund its initial increase in defence spending, cutting support for education and development programmes that are vital to building peace and long-term security.
"Defence spending is a choice. Funding education is a choice. Ahead of the Budget we urge the government to invest in education, public services and international development as the foundations of a safer, fairer and more secure world."
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Editor's Note
The report will be available once the embargo lifts.
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REPORT: https://neu.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-10/NEU4532 Impact of military spending on the right to education HQP.pdf
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Original text here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/neu-warns-rising-uk-military-spending-risks-further-pressure-education-funding?_locale=en
[Category: Union]
Actors' Equity Association Supports Bill to Limit Pedicabs Near Broadway, Off-Broadway Theatres
NEW YORK, Oct. 10 -- Actors' Equity Association, a labor union that says it represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers, issued the following news release:
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Actors' Equity Association Supports Bill to Limit Pedicabs Near Broadway, Off-Broadway Theatres
New York- Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has offered testimony in favor of New York City Council INT 0064-2026, legislation that would prohibit pedicabs from parking or doing pickings or dropoffs within 50 feet
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Oct. 10 -- Actors' Equity Association, a labor union that says it represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers, issued the following news release:
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Actors' Equity Association Supports Bill to Limit Pedicabs Near Broadway, Off-Broadway Theatres
New York- Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has offered testimony in favor of New York City Council INT 0064-2026, legislation that would prohibit pedicabs from parking or doing pickings or dropoffs within 50 feetof any entrance or exit of all theaters in the Theatre District.
"This bill would fix a longstanding and critical safety issue for many of our members - and many other theatre workers - who make their living in the theatre," said Equity Director of Member Safety in Theatrical Facilities Keith Sklar. "For far too long the status quo has presented an unacceptable level of risk for Equity members. The Theatre District always has heavy foot traffic, but the pedicabs have made it so that our members cannot safely navigate the sidewalk leaving work. In the case of an emergency, we need to know these workers could quickly evacuate the building without a tangle of vehicles in the way."
"Broadway is part of the fabric of this city, and every night thousands of theatergoers and workers pour out onto some of the busiest sidewalks in New York," said Council Member Virginia Maloney. "When pedicabs cluster directly outside theatre entrances and stage doors, that congestion can make it difficult to move safely, and we have heard repeated concerns from theatergoers and workers about aggressive solicitation as they are trying to leave. Intro 64 is a straightforward safety measure that would keep the immediate area around theatre entrances and exits clear, while allowing pedicabs to continue serving riders throughout the Theatre District. At its core, this bill is about giving audiences, actors, stage managers, and theatre workers the room they need to get out the door safely. I'm grateful to Actors' Equity for standing with us in support of this legislation."
Currently, pedicabs often crowd outside of theaters to take advantage of the heavy level of foot traffic. Over two dozen theaters in the neighborhood have street-facing stage doors, meaning that Equity members move through these crowded spaces leaving work. Sidewalk congestion can be so severe that Equity members may walk in the street to get through. Furthermore, loitering pedicabs cause noise that that can be heard in theaters, making it harder for stage management teams or actors to share crucial information. In case of an emergency, evacuation routes could be severely compromised.
This bill was originally introduced to City Council in January, is currently sitting with the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. If the committee recommends passage of the bill, it will move on to City Council for a vote, followed by the mayor signing it into law.
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ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks
October 9, 2026
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Original text here: https://actorsequity.org/news/PR/2026/10/09/actors-equity-association-supports-bill-to-limit-pedicabs-near-broadway--off-broadway-theatres
[Category: Union]
NEU Survey Shows Teachers Reject Year 8 Reading Test
LONDON, England, Oct. 9 -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
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NEU survey shows teachers reject Year 8 reading test
08/10/2026
The government's determination to push through a mandatory reading test for Year 8 pupils in England has met with a frosty response from teachers.
In the latest survey by the National Education Union of its members, respondents said that:
* A statutory end-of-year reading test would be the least effective approach to identifying pupils in need of additional help.
* A statutory end-of-year reading test would be the least effective
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, Oct. 9 -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
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NEU survey shows teachers reject Year 8 reading test
08/10/2026
The government's determination to push through a mandatory reading test for Year 8 pupils in England has met with a frosty response from teachers.
In the latest survey by the National Education Union of its members, respondents said that:
* A statutory end-of-year reading test would be the least effective approach to identifying pupils in need of additional help.
* A statutory end-of-year reading test would be the least effectiveapproach to supporting pupils in need of additional help.
* Such a test would narrow the curriculum, both within English (62 per cent) and across other subjects (52 per cent).
* 78 per cent of respondents believe it would also lead to increase in workload and administrative burdens.
* Just one in seven (14 per cent) said that a reading test would have a positive impact on pupils' reading for pleasure.
The online survey of 1,480 members of the National Education Union was conducted between 16 June - 5 July 2026.
Identify and Support
Asked which approaches are most effective for identifying pupils who need support, teachers put professional judgements supported by strong relationships first. In a multiple-choice question, they told us:
Four fifths (79 per cent) put emphasis on relationship-based approaches such as classroom observation and conversations with pupils. Also effective were discussions with colleagues (66 per cent) and parents (40 per cent) and the use of existing and non-statutory assessment methods. Statutory year end tests came bottom (31 per cent).
When it came to supporting pupils with identified additional needs, the most effective methods were strongly linked to parental engagement (62 per cent). Assessment practices were generally seen as less useful at this stage, while the perceived value of a statutory end of year test was notably lower (23 per cent).
It is clear that teachers already identify pupils who need additional support with reading through classroom observation, independent work, reading activities and ongoing interactions with pupils. A statutory test is therefore unlikely to provide significant new insight and may simply confirm challenges that schools already understand.
However, there is limited confidence that schools are adequately resourced to provide the additional support these pupils require.
Only a little over half (55 per cent) are confident that their schools have the resource levels needed, rising slightly in primary schools (59 per cent). Secondary teachers are the least assured with just 8 per cent 'very confident'.
The NEU believes that rather than investing in yet another layer of assessment, government should prioritise early intervention, specialist support, teacher development, targeted literacy programmes, and small-group and one-to-one support for pupils who need it most.
Narrowing the Curriculum
NEU members expressed significant concern about the impact of a statutory reading test on an already overloaded curriculum. Although the government argues that pupils will not need to revise for a statutory Year 8 reading test, teachers will still be expected to prepare them for the knowledge and skills assessed.
A majority foresee a narrowing of the curriculum in English (62 per cent) and around a half in other subjects (52 per cent), while 78 per cent think it will result in increased workload demands for staff.
There was also strong concern about the longer-term implications for school accountability. A clear majority (86 per cent) believe that introducing a statutory test could create pressure for results to be used within performance and accountability frameworks.
Research shows the negative mental health impacts of repeated testing in primary education. Nearly 80 per cent of parents believe SATs harm the mental health of 10-11-year-olds. Concern is even greater among parents of children with special educational needs and disability (SEND).
Teachers work some of the longest hours in Europe and regularly work more unpaid overtime than most other professions. The DfE's Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders survey shows full-time teachers working around 50 hours a week and leaders around 56.5 hours a week.
Reading for Pleasure
The government's plan for a statutory test goes beyond the advice of the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which recommended diagnostic checks to support teaching and learning but did not recommend a compulsory national reading test.
Existing assessment pressures already reduce time for independent reading and broader literacy activities. The National Literacy Trust's latest Annual Literacy Survey found that the gap in reading enjoyment between pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their peers has more than doubled in the past year while the gap in daily reading also widened.
Within this context, we asked members to reflect on how the Year 8 test will impact Reading for Pleasure in their school.
Teachers are more likely to expect a new test to harm rather than help reading for pleasure. Just 14 per cent expect a "very positive" or "positive" impact overall, dropping to 5 per cent amongst respondents working in primary and nursery settings. One in five (20 per cent) expect a 'very negative' impact. Secondary English teachers are much more likely to perceive harm (56 per cent) than Other Secondary (43 per cent).
Many respondents felt that introducing an additional statutory test risked changing how pupils perceive reading. As one commented:
"No test is pleasure. Students will see reading as a test: it sucks the enjoyment out of it all. Reading is already in strong competition with screens; it'll make it worse."
Another told us, "Reading for pleasure drops off significantly at this age... adding yet another statutory test at this time in a child's life will probably be the final nail in the coffin for reading for some children."
It should be kept in mind that the national curriculum requires pupils to "develop the habit of reading widely and frequently for both pleasure and information." It is the clear opinion of the profession that this will not be helped by a statutory Year 8 reading test.
The PISA results published this month, and the OECD's analysis of them, suggest that global declines in reading attainment are driven by decreases in reading for pleasure (amongst other factors). As such, anything that risks damaging the development of reading for pleasure also poses a threat to reading attainment.
What remains unclear is how an additional statutory test would improve reading engagement or reduce inequalities. Instead, it risks reinforcing the pressures that already undermine reading for pleasure.
Role of libraries and reading resources
When asked, NEU members highlighted the value of libraries in widening access to books and building engagement. However, provision and access is highly uneven.
In a multiple-choice question, teachers identified the most valuable contribution libraries made to supporting and promoting a love of reading: providing a wide range of accessible texts and genres (85 per cent of respondents). Increasing engagement (75 per cent) and promoting wellbeing (62 per cent) were also significant factors.
The survey suggests that resource shortages may also present a further barrier. While most teachers reported their school had an onsite library space (91 per cent), staffing was much more varied. Just over one third of respondents (37 per cent) reported that their library was managed by dedicated, trained staff, but a similar proportion (35 per cent) said that theirs was unstaffed.
Access is also unequal when looking at socioeconomic disadvantage. Teachers in the most deprived schools were far more likely to report having no library at all, with 19 per cent of respondents in the highest deprivation quintile lacking a library compared to just 4 per cent in the least deprived.
Recommendations
The NEU is calling on the government to:
* Reverse the decision to introduce a statutory Year 8 reading test, which risks narrowing the curriculum, drives teaching to the test, and undermines reading for pleasure.
* Give educators the time, training, and resources to deliver a new broad, balanced curriculum that supports reading attainment and fosters a lifelong love of reading.
* Provide sustainable funding and staffing so schools can deliver evidence-based interventions, including small group reading for pleasure programmes, and targeted one to one literacy support where needed.
* Invest in school libraries and reading resources across primary and secondary education to ensure all students can access a diverse range of texts and authors that support literacy, independent research and critical thinking.
Commenting on the findings, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"The Year 8 reading test is not needed nor wanted. It will increase accountability pressures and incentivise the narrowing of the curriculum even further. No lessons have been learned from the harm done by SATs and the wider 'exam factory' culture. This is not the way to unlock a passion for reading and learning.
"This test is more likely to lead to reading as a chore rather than a point of enjoyment or enrichment. The Education Select Committee was right to identify that the education system remains unbalanced and driven by assessment at the expense of engagement, identity and enjoyment. They are shooting themselves in the foot by undermining their own Reading for Pleasure agenda.
"What schools really need are the resources to provide early identification and targeted support. This should come sooner than Year 8 and form part of a wider effort to ensure there is a broad and balanced curriculum for all."
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Original text here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/neu-survey-shows-teachers-reject-year-8-reading-test?_locale=en
[Category: Union]
NEU Calls on Chancellor to Keep pound sterling3.3bn Pension Savings in Schools
LONDON, England, Oct. 9 -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
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NEU calls on Chancellor to keep pound sterling3.3bn pension savings in schools
07/10/2026
Today (7 October) the general secretary of the National Education Union has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for him to halt plans to claw back savings from reduced employer contributions to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and keep the money in school budgets.
Following the 2024 TPS valuation, employer contributions will fall from 28.6 per cent to 17.6 per cent from April 2027 -- a saving
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, Oct. 9 -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
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NEU calls on Chancellor to keep pound sterling3.3bn pension savings in schools
07/10/2026
Today (7 October) the general secretary of the National Education Union has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for him to halt plans to claw back savings from reduced employer contributions to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and keep the money in school budgets.
Following the 2024 TPS valuation, employer contributions will fall from 28.6 per cent to 17.6 per cent from April 2027 -- a savingestimated at around pound sterling3.3 billion a year. This is money desperately needed within schools, with latest figures from the School Cuts campaign showing that schools have faced pound sterling4.5bn in real term cuts since 2010.
The NEU has also welcomed the Government's decision to keep savings from reduced employer contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in education, helping schools meet staff pay costs and protect jobs.
The full text of the letter is as follows:
Dear Chancellor,
I am writing to you ahead of the upcoming Budget to ask you to halt plans to claw back savings from employer contributions to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and instead keep this money in school budgets.
We were pleased to see the recent announcement from your government that savings from reduced employer contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) will remain in education. Where individual schools have seen reductions in their LGPS employer contributions this will support the funding of staff pay awards without any impact on the pensions that support staff will receive.
This was very welcome in ensuring that schools would not have to face further cuts to their budgets for this year and helping to protect over 8,000 jobs that our analysis showed were at risk due to funding cuts.
Despite this, the picture for school funding has been bleak. 74 per cent of schools have faced cuts since 2010 and the Core Schools Budget is currently pound sterling4.5 billion lower than it was in 2010 in real terms. Repeated cuts to school budgets have had devastating impacts on schools. Our class sizes in the UK are among the highest in Europe. School staff are being driven to burnout by relentless stress and sky-high workloads.
As a result of the TPS valuation 2024, the employer contribution rate is reducing from 28.6 per cent to 17.6 per cent from April 2027. It is estimated this will save approximately pound sterling3.3bn per year, money HM Treasury is currently planning to recoup. This is funding that is urgently needed to begin to restore school funding back to 2010 levels.
Due to this planned clawback of savings from the TPS, the Core Schools Budget totals outlined during the 2025 spending review will now be lower in a consistent basis. This is likely to significantly affect any planned increases in school funding in coming years. By keeping this money in schools the government can maintain these totals and allow individual schools to enjoy these savings.
This would reassure educators that school funding will increase in real terms in the near future and help mitigate potential job losses, restructures and redundancies as schools continue to struggle with falling rolls.
I was very pleased to see that this administration has recognised the crisis in our schools - now is the time for decisive action to arrest this decline in funding. A generation of students has known nothing but funding cuts. We cannot afford to fail another generation of children.
I would be delighted to meet with you to discuss this further.
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Kebede
General Secretary
National Education Union
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Original text here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/neu-calls-chancellor-keep-ps33bn-pension-savings-schools?_locale=en
[Category: Union]
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 3 Tennessee Candidates Ahead of Nov. 3 Election
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees posted the following news release:
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Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 3 Tennessee Candidates Ahead of Nov. 3 Election
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Join the 150,000 AFGE members who have already made the switch to E-Dues.
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
tim.kauffman@afge.org
RIVERDALE, Ga. -- The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of three candidates running for office representing Tennessee in the Nov. 3 election.
The newly endorsed candidates are Justin Pearson
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees posted the following news release:
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Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 3 Tennessee Candidates Ahead of Nov. 3 Election
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Join the 150,000 AFGE members who have already made the switch to E-Dues.
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
tim.kauffman@afge.org
RIVERDALE, Ga. -- The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of three candidates running for office representing Tennessee in the Nov. 3 election.
The newly endorsed candidates are Justin Pearsonfor the U.S. House representing Tennessee's 9th Congressional District, Chaz Molder for the U.S. House representing Tennessee's 5th Congressional District, and AFGE member Sabrena Gillespie for the Clarksville City Council representing Ward 1.
Pearson has been a voice for social justice and workers' rights for Tennesseans. As a state lawmaker, he drew national attention for his fight against redistricting, and he has pushed legislation that benefits working-class Tennesseans.
Molder is the Democratic nominee in the 5th Congressional District and has served as mayor of Columbia, Tenn.
Gillespie is a longtime AFGE member and president of AFGE Local 2022 in Tennessee. She is running for election to the Clarksville City Council representing Ward 1.
"Justin Pearson has never backed down from a fight for working people, and he will be a relentless advocate for federal employees and their families in Congress. Chaz Molder understands the importance of public service and will be a powerful voice for workers and communities across Tennessee's 5th District. Sabrena Gillespie has spent years leading and advocating for AFGE members as president of AFGE Local 2022, and she will bring that same commitment, experience, and proven leadership to the Clarksville City Council," said AFGE District 5 National Vice President Tatishka Thomas.
More than 53,800 federal employees live in Tennessee, caring for veterans, supporting the military and making sure Social Security recipients get their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE represents 110,000 federal employees in District 5, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Written by OPEIU 2 AFL-CIO
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/5121e85d3ba544f9bb8842f9ee86c80e.aspx
Actors' Equity Association Supports Bill to Limit Pedicabs Near Broadway, Off-Broadway Theatres
NEW YORK, Oct. 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Actors Equity Association issued the following news release:
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Actors' Equity Association Supports Bill to Limit Pedicabs Near Broadway, Off-Broadway Theatres
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New York- Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has offered testimony in favor of New York City Council INT 0064-2026, legislation that would prohibit pedicabs from parking or doing pickings or dropoffs within 50 feet of any entrance or exit of all theaters in the Theatre District.
"This
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Oct. 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Actors Equity Association issued the following news release:
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Actors' Equity Association Supports Bill to Limit Pedicabs Near Broadway, Off-Broadway Theatres
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New York- Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has offered testimony in favor of New York City Council INT 0064-2026, legislation that would prohibit pedicabs from parking or doing pickings or dropoffs within 50 feet of any entrance or exit of all theaters in the Theatre District.
"Thisbill would fix a longstanding and critical safety issue for many of our members - and many other theatre workers - who make their living in the theatre," said Equity Director of Member Safety in Theatrical Facilities Keith Sklar. "For far too long the status quo has presented an unacceptable level of risk for Equity members. The Theatre District always has heavy foot traffic, but the pedicabs have made it so that our members cannot safely navigate the sidewalk leaving work. In the case of an emergency, we need to know these workers could quickly evacuate the building without a tangle of vehicles in the way."
"Broadway is part of the fabric of this city, and every night thousands of theatergoers and workers pour out onto some of the busiest sidewalks in New York," said Council Member Virginia Maloney. "When pedicabs cluster directly outside theatre entrances and stage doors, that congestion can make it difficult to move safely, and we have heard repeated concerns from theatergoers and workers about aggressive solicitation as they are trying to leave. Intro 64 is a straightforward safety measure that would keep the immediate area around theatre entrances and exits clear, while allowing pedicabs to continue serving riders throughout the Theatre District. At its core, this bill is about giving audiences, actors, stage managers, and theatre workers the room they need to get out the door safely. I'm grateful to Actors' Equity for standing with us in support of this legislation."
Currently, pedicabs often crowd outside of theaters to take advantage of the heavy level of foot traffic. Over two dozen theaters in the neighborhood have street-facing stage doors, meaning that Equity members move through these crowded spaces leaving work. Sidewalk congestion can be so severe that Equity members may walk in the street to get through. Furthermore, loitering pedicabs cause noise that that can be heard in theaters, making it harder for stage management teams or actors to share crucial information. In case of an emergency, evacuation routes could be severely compromised.
This bill was originally introduced to City Council in January, is currently sitting with the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. If the committee recommends passage of the bill, it will move on to City Council for a vote, followed by the mayor signing it into law.
October 9, 2026
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Original text here: https://www.actorsequity.org/news/PR/2026/10/09/actors-equity-association-supports-bill-to-limit-pedicabs-near-broadway--off-broadway-theatres
