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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

For Immediate Release Contact: Larry Goldbetter: lgoldbetter@nwu.org 212-254-0275 French Fashion Media Company L’Officiel Settles With New York City July 11th, 2023 NEW YORK—The City of New York City announced today that they have settled a lawsuit against L ’Officiel USA, the American subsidiary of the French-owned global media company that operates several print and digital […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Press Release for: December 23, 2022 Contact: Meredith Tannor, 646-226-0946, mtannor@freelancersunion.org (NWU) Eric Thurm: (914) 275-1122 eric.d.thurm@gmail.com Rafael Espinal, Executive Director of the Freelancers Union and Larry Goldbetter, President of the National Writers Union Respond to Unfortunate News of Governor Kathy Hochul Vetoing the NYS Freelance Isn’t Free Law, Which Would Have […]

This story first appeared in The Nation on December 8, 2022 The resurgence of American labor organizing has relied on solidarity beyond the bargaining unit—and that’s what we’re offering. By Bryce Covert, Jillian Steinhauer and Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein Today, more than 1,100 unionized newsroom employees at The New York Times will walk out, refusing to work for an entire day. For the past […]