On Feb. 27, members of Unions for the Performing Arts had an opportunity to discuss the concerns of their unions with City Council members. The occasion was a UPA-sponsored “meet and greet” breakfast for members of the council.

Council Speaker Peter Vallone greeted participants and described his consistent efforts to restore and expand city funding for the arts; his fight to protect funding and freedom of expression for the Brooklyn Museum; and his plan to dedicate property taxes generated by the sale of the World Trade Center to secure thousands of new units of affordable housing.

Among the concerns UPA members raised were misclassification of employees and the need to protect rent regulation in New York City. Labor organizations taking part included the NYC Central Labor Council, Local 802, the Writers’ Guild of America, the National Association of Writers, Graphic Artists Guild, IATSE locals 1, 52 and 751, NABET Local 16 and the American Guild of Musical Artists.

City Council members Christine Quinn, John Sabini and Ken Fisher attended the breakfast meeting, along with representatives of Stephen DiBrienza and Archie Spigner.