New lawsuit is pushing for actors to get paid minimum wage.
You would assume that any job will pay you minimum wage for your work. But, according to a new lawsuit, many actors are getting paid less than a McDonald’s fry cook.
According to Deadline, there’s a plan to make small Los Angeles theaters pay actors minimum wage. And the first step in this plan to increase wages for actors is by taking it to court.
Last October, theater owners filed a lawsuit against Actors’ Equity seeking to overturn the union’s decision to force small theaters in Los Angeles to pay actors minimum wage. According to Deadline, Under current rules and regulations, many small theaters pay actors as little as $7 a day. According to the lawsuit, local theater owners argue that the union’s minimum wage will force many theaters to close down.
There were once mediated negotiations to fix the issue. However, after several failed negotiations, the lawsuit is moving forward. And the union says the matter will now have to be decided in court. “While we are disappointed that this dispute will enter the courtroom, Equity intends to vigorously defend itself against the meritless lawsuit and will file an immediate motion to dismiss,” the union said in a statement.
The cost of living in Los Angeles is already extremely expensive and for actors who are struggling from one production to the next, it’s sad to think that theaters will not pay their talent a reasonable living wage. We may complain about McDonald’s or Wal-Mart employees getting paid $15/an hour but, it is unfathomable to believe that an actor will only get paid $7 a day.
Via Deadline
Related:
What do you think? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below.
