The State of Our Union

State of the Union: NWU is doing well, with many weaknesses and limited capacity. As of this writing we have just over 1,000 current members, which fluctuates up to 1200. We are holding our own, numbers wise, but we are growing stronger internally, which is the key, and the prerequisite for growing. Today, the union […]

Senator Scott Wiener announces CA Senate Bill 988, the Freelance Worker Protection Act

Senator Wiener Introduces Bill to Expand Freelance Worker Protections SACRAMENTO – January 31, 2024 — Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced Senate Bill 988 (SB 988), the Freelance Worker Protection Act. SB 988 provides basic protections — enforced by the State Labor Commissioner and the Attorney General — for freelance workers, including the right […]

Imparcialidad Periodística en el Conflicto Palestino-Israelí

Desde los injustificables ataques de Hamás contra civiles israelíes, el ejército israelí ha matado a más de mil cuatrocientas personas en Gaza, donde además ha cortado los alimentos, el agua y la electricidad a más de dos millones de personas. En el momento de escribir este artículo, se está efectuando una limpieza étnica masiva. Israel […]

Documentary on the 1976 Downing of a Cuban Plane

In October 1976, a Cuban plane took off from Barbados to Jamaica. In a blip, Flight 455 disappeared from radar screens. Various aviation agencies, including the Cuban government, determined that two bombs hidden on the plane caused it to explode midair, the wreckage  plummeting into the Caribbean Sea.  All 73 people aboard were killed in […]

Announcing NWU National, Chapter and Delegate Elections  

It’s time for NWU elections. Later this month you will receive a call for nominations that will include a description of each office and instructions on how to self-nominate for the position of your choice.  All contested elections will be conducted electronically under the direction and supervision of E-Ballot. They will send out the ballots […]

Not Just About Race: American Dirt has Class Issue

The novel American Dirt chronicles a middle-class Mexican woman and her son on a harrowing journey to the US as they flee cartel violence. Jeanine Cummins’ book is at the center of a train wreck in publishing for its obvious race problems and less visible class issues. The publisher, Macmillian, insisted on positioning the work […]

Getting Writers Read and Fed!

The NWU is Back at the San Francisco Writers Conference February, 13-16, 2020. The National Writers Union Northern California Chapter will be at the conference for a 4th year, and is presenting the one-hour panel, Getting Read and Getting Fed! This panel includes NWU Members Cedric O’Bannon, Edward Hasbrouck, Brigid O’Farrell, and September Williams. This event takes place […]

Conference Seeks to Bolster Global Worker Rights

The International Labor Organization (ILO) renewed a Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work on June 21 in Geneva, Switzerland. The event coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Conference, where the organization adopted a new international Convention against violence and harassment at work, while vowing to hold governments accountable for violations. Sharan Burrow, general […]

Reception for the NWUSO Legal Action Fund

In 2018, the National Writers Union collected more than $200,000 for almost 150 unpaid freelancers by waging Group Non-Payment Grievances. Most of these were settled directly and with the assistance of the UAW Legal Department , some had to go to court. All of the unpaid freelancers were paid 100% of what they were owed. […]

Nor Cal NWU Benefits From Local Conferences

NWU’s NorCal members will gather February 14-17 to staff an information table at the San Francisco Writer Conference (SFWC), a celebration of craft, commerce and community. More than 700 writers attending from around the country will have opportunities to meet publishers, editors, reviewers, and media experts in multiple genres. These include fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. […]