People are freelancing more than ever, with the ADP Research Institute reporting that the number of independent workers has jumped by 15% in the last decade. And that growth is accelerating dramatically as society has grappled with the economic changes wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, with nine out of 10 people now considering joining the gig economy.
“The gig economy has ballooned,” reports the financial analysts at CNBC, who warn that the fast-growing number of freelancers is putting a spotlight on the importance of workers’ rights and promoting the interests of freelancers. “This type of work comes with additional financial responsibilities relative to health insurance, retirement savings, taxes, paid vacation time and Social Security.”
The Freelancers Union is an advocacy organization seeking to do exactly that.
What is the Freelancers Union?
The Freelancers Union works as a voice for the nearly 57 million freelancers in the country. The union was founded in the mid-1990s, and it has now grown into America’s largest advocacy group for independent workers. Its goal is to:
- Advocate for the interests of freelancers: The organization pushes for policy changes that support freelancers’ needs and rights, and it regularly conducts surveys and research that lawmakers and stakeholders use when drafting legislation.
- Create community: Being an independent contractor can feel lonely. The union builds connections through local clubs and meetups in cities across North America.
- Build resources: Entering the gig economy introduces people to a new realm of legal and financial regulations and processes. The organization cultivates resources to help workers navigate these issues successfully.
- Provide benefits: Being self-employed leaves many, if not most, freelancers without cost-effective access to insurance benefits. The union provides its members with insurance benefits, such as vision, health, dental, disability and more.
Who Can Join the Freelancers Union?
The Freelancers Union currently has more than 500,000 freelancers in its membership roster. There is no cost to joining the union — you simply need to be a freelancer to be eligible for membership.
Your free membership includes:
- Access to a full-service support system
- Invitations to join local meetups run by freelance leaders
- Opportunities to expand your education through the Freelancers Hub (a series of workshops on freelancing skills, such as brand-building and financial management strategies)
- Access to insurance options
- And more
Does the Freelancers Union Actually Make a Difference?
The union regularly advocates for the rights of independent contractors and freelancers. One of its most notable advocacy projects was getting 2017’s Freelance Isn’t Free law passed in New York. This law, advocated by the union, now provides New York freelancers with:
- 30-day payment terms
- Mandatory contracts
- Payment agreement protections
- Protection against retaliation from disgruntled clients
- Legal assistance
- Awarded damages if taken to court by a client and the client loses the case
Should You Join the Freelancers Union?
Because membership is free, there’s a low barrier for entry. Membership makes sense regardless of your field of expertise, whether you’re a graphic designer, a writer, or any other member of the gig economy.
Consider joining the Freelancers Union as yet another tool in your freelancing toolkit to help you build and grow a successful business, achieve your freelancing goals, and tap into the resources available for independent contractors like yourself.
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