BY JAIDA DENT
Thousands from New York City’s hardworking class took over Fifth Avenue for the Labor Day Parade and March on Sept. 6. Organized by the New York City Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO), the event saw over 200 unions come together in celebration of their respective organizations. But what shined brightest at the city’s over 140-year-old tradition was the unions that represent the entertainment industry. Members of these unions marched in celebration, but also in protest of political control and advocating for union benefits.
The event featured labor unions of the entertainment and media sector, including the Actor’s Equity Association, American Federation of Musicians Local 802 (AFM), SAG-AFTRA, the Writer’s Guild of America East (WGA), and the Local 600 International Cinematographers Guild under the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
“I think it’s fantastic that we’re all out here and that we get an opportunity to just be ‘union strong’ and represent the people that are representing us,” said Diana Coates, a member of the SAG AFTRA Union, since 2017. “Whether it’s financially or just support, the union provides so much for us on set and even outside when we’re not working […] So, you can’t, you can’t help but be proud.”
The parade allowed these unions the opportunity to celebrate their organizations and highlight their contribution to the arts in NYC. However, the event was also a call to actions, as members also advocated for the specific issues they are facing within their industry.
“It’s not just about pay scales. It’s more about health insurance and pension. […] Health insurance is very important and very expensive, and so, obviously, is us retiring. So we’re just here today to support people that want to work hard and hopefully get benefits with that with money too.” ,” said Francis Spieldenner, a member of Local 600. “I wish it was everywhere,” that everyone could have these benefits.
The lack of healthcare benefits isn’t a new issue within these unions, as a survey from IATSE in 2023 revealed depressing numbers. According to the survey, 43% of visual effect workers who operate on the “client side” (directly under a production company) did not receive healthcare benefits, and 85% of VFX workers reported that they did not have an employer-funded retirement fund.
Outside of union benefits, marchers highlighted recent cancellations and defunding of media companies. In July, CBS canceled “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” as of May 2026, making this its final season. While the decision was cited as “purely financial,” it also comes after CBS settled a private lawsuit with President Donald Trump that cost the company $16 million. Around the same time, Trump also signed a bill that would cancel $1.1 billion in aid for public broadcasting organizations, NPR and PBS. These decisions have a direct impact on the entertainment unions and were a reason for their presence in the parade.
“Our union is currently under attack by the current administration […] So, we’re here to fight back and to say that we as a union of writers, as a union of storytellers, and a union of truthtellers are here, no matter what,” said Sasha Stewart, a council member for the WGA East and the incoming secretary treasurer. “Our union is going to protect our members and stand by our members against all threats, both from private equity and financialization of our industry, as well as corporate greed, fascism, and this administration.”
Despite all the uncertainties surrounding these unions, hundreds of New Yorkers showed love and support by joining in from behind the barricades in chants of “Get up! Get down! New York is a union town!”