Visitors to Times Square will be familiar with the individuals dressed up in costumes offering to take pictures with visitors and (sometimes aggressively) asking for tips in return. Edgar Sandoval and Celeste Katz wrote about their plans to unionize:

• The police have launched an educational campaign informing tourists that tipping the characters is optional.
• The government has also announced plans to register the performers due to concerns about their behaviour.
• Performers are unhappy with both developments, arguing that they are being treated as criminals.
• 50 of the characters are planning to meet and discuss ways that they can form a group and speak with one voice.

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Source: New York Daily News