Music and Entertainment Community Statement on Final Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

 Washington, D.C. (March 10, 2021) Today representatives of the American music and entertainment community issued the following statement on the passage of the COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus bill. “The American Rescue Plan provides absolutely essential economic relief for workers in the American creative community who continue to face an uncertain path back to work […]

Journalism is a Public Good – Especially Now!

Journalism is a public good. Journalism is essential for democracy. In the midst of a global pandemic the need for quality, independent information is vital.  And yet, across the world, journalists’ jobs are being axed, media are closing down and  information is being censored, restricted or used simply as a commodity to be bought and  […]

An Abundance of Racism

In the wake of the Trump-inspired attack on the Capitol on January 6, there’s much talk about passing domestic anti-terrorism laws and expanding those already on the books. People are being added to no-fly lists and the Capitol remains on lockdown with thousands of troops deployed there until March. We are reminded of the government […]

Resolution in Solidarity with SutNotimex (Notimex News Agency Workers Union)

The following resolution was passed unanimously at the NWU Executive Board meeting on January 30, 2021. The National Writers Union is a labor organization dedicated to protect and enhance the labor rights of journalists, freelancers, and other media workers. As members of the International Federation of Journalists, we are involved and support the struggles of […]

Some NWU Legislative Priorities for 2021

Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) NWU has been part of a large coalition of mixed earners, those who have both 1099 and W-2 income. As many as one million workers with mixed incomes received artificially low unemployment benefits or none at all, in the first stimulus package. Arts and entertainment workers have been disproportionately impacted. This coalition was […]

The Capitol Riot

After the Presidential election last November, we ran a piece, “The War Is Not Over.” On January 6, a racist mob, urged on by Trump & Co., attacked the US Capitol building and assaulted media workers covering the riot. Journalists outside the Capitol were threatened and surrounded, equipment destroyed and stolen. “Murder the media” was […]

NWU Fights Racist Attacks on NYC Homeless

New York – November 29: Today about 80 community residents and residents of the temporary homeless shelter at the Lucerne Hotel protested Mayor de Blasio’s plan to move the men to another hotel in the Wall St. financial district. We demanded that the 5,500 homeless people currently in unsafe congregate shelters be placed in the […]

The War Is Not Over

(Report to the NWU Executive Board – November 21, 2020) When PA went to Biden on November 7, there was dancing in the streets. In NYC, we went out for dinner with friends to a little tapas place on 95th St., and every guest received a glass of champagne as they were seated at an […]

Pass the Amended HEROES Act for Mixed Earner Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Last July, NWU joined a coalition of 19 groups to lobby Congress for Mixed Earner Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Under the leadership of SAG-AFTRA, the coalition has grown to 97 organizations.  This week, new legislation was introduced updating the HEROES Act and including for the first time, benefits for those who derive their income from a […]