The Elmos, Mickey Mouses and superheroes walking around Times Square want better treatment and a little respect for their picture-posing services.
About 50 of the costume characters clogging "The Crossroads of the World" will meet with representatives from the immigration-advocacy group La Fuente on Aug. 12, the New York Daily News reports. They plan to discuss organization for better treatment, possibly leading to a labor group similar to the ones representing taxi drivers and freelancers.
"They have been here earning tips for several years now. But this is the first time they will need to speak up as a group," said Alex Gomez, the communications director for La Fuente. "United, they are stronger."
Many of the furry costumed workers are recent immigrants, who only speak Spanish. The tips they receive from tourists for pictures support their families.
"We are here out of necessity," Claudia Arias, who dresses as Catwoman, told the Daily News. "We need to unite so people can see that this is our legitimate way of supporting our families."
The NYPD started a campaign on Aug. 9 to notify visitors that tipping the characters is optional. Police have received complaints that some characters are demanding tips between $5 and $20, according to the New York Daily News. They also have arrested a few characters on charges of groping and assault.
A Brooklyn man dressed as Spider-Man punched out an NYPD officer on July 26. The cop tried to place him under arrest for bilking tourists. Police also picked up the Naked Black Cowboy, a Captain America, Jessie the cowgirl from "Toy Story," and another Spider-Man, according to the New York Post.
"We realized we needed to unite when we started seeing the bad publicity," Jorge Luis, who dresses as Batman, told the Daily News. "People don't see us with respect. . . . We support our families with the tips they give us."
Visitors have stopped providing tips and walk away without even saying "thank you" for the picture, Luis said.
NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton has backed a legislative proposal to require the costumed worked to register with the city, according to the Daily News.
