As a union fighting for the rights of media workers, we’re proud to have joined these organizations in calling on California officials to act with transparency and respect for the role of the press in documenting sweeps of homeless encampments: The First Amendment Coalition, Los Angeles Press Club, and National Press Photographers Association, joined by […]
NWU Statement on California’s Backroom Deal with Big Tech
The National Writers Union joins our Media Guild of the West colleagues in rejecting the California legislature’s recent backroom deal with Big Tech, which lawmakers have accepted in place of legislation that would properly tax these mega-corporations and sustainably fund California’s struggling news ecosystem. NWU especially condemns the deal’s bizarre provision for Google to fund […]
NWU Statement on the Assassinations of Ismail al-Ghoul and Rami al-Rifi
In solidarity with our sibling union the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS), and in the strongest possible terms, the National Writers Union (NWU) condemns the assassinations of our comrades Al Jazeera correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul and photographer Rami al-Rifi on July 31, 2024. The pair were killed in an Israeli strike while covering events in al-Shati Refugee […]
Literary Translators are Organizing with NWU
Literary translators are excited to be taking their first steps toward forming a division in the National Writers Union! Advocacy for better contractual terms and working conditions by literary translators, who are all freelance workers, has been ongoing for years, even decades, mostly through professional organizations, and some advances have been made. We have a […]
NY Governor Hochul Signs “Freelance Isn’t Free” into Law
Albany, NY – Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Freelance Isn’t Free Act (S5026) into law. The bill will protect contract and freelance workers by ensuring we receive appropriate contracts for our work, are paid within 30 days of the work being completed. As a result of negotiations between the legislature and Governor Hochul, we […]
Statement from the Leadership of the National Writers Union on the War in Gaza
Since Hamas’s unconscionable attack on Israeli civilians, the Israeli military has killed more than fourteen hundred people in Gaza and cut off food, water, and electricity to more than two million people. As of this writing, in a massive ethnic cleansing, Israel is forcibly displacing more than a million people as it prepares a ground […]
Al Weinrub – RIP
Al Weinrub, a life-long political activist and former 1st VP of NWU, passed away on August 30, 2023. He was surrounded by love and song, and held by loved ones with whom he dreamt and fought for a better world. His service is scheduled for Saturday, September 23 and will be livestreamed. Please write to […]
Solidarity this Labor Day, and Every Day!
NWU Celebrates Illinois’ Governor Pritzker Signing the Freelance Worker Protection Act, Setting a Nationwide Standard for Protections for Freelancers
Springfield, IL — On Friday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzer signed the Freelance Worker Protection Act (HB1122) into law. The National Writers Union (NWU) celebrates Illinois setting a nationwide standard as it becomes the first state to enact legislation protecting freelance workers. Under FWPA, sponsored by Representative Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) and Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago), freelancers […]
NWU Stands with WGA/SAG-AFTRA!
The National Writers Union stands in solidarity with the workers of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA. Central to the strike is the industry’s use of AI, for which SAG-AFTRA is demanding “informed consent and fair compensation”. As a union of multidisciplinary writers and media workers, we’re acutely aware of the way creative labor is devalued and […]
