More than 300 delegates representing more than 450,000 journalists in 140 countries gathered in Angers, France for the 29th International Federation of Journalists World Congress, June 7-10. It was the 90th anniversary of the founding of IFJ. There were many panels, debates and discussions about the safety of journalists, defending and extending press freedom, increasing […]
World Press Freedom Day at the UN
The National Writers Union (NWU), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Communications Coordination Committee for the United Nations (CCCUN) and Metro NY Labor Communications Council (MNYLCC) organized a panel discussion May 3 for World Press Freedom Day. Held at the United Nations in New York City, the event explored the media’s role in supporting human rights […]
Tax Tips for Writers
NWU member and tax accountant Therese Francis spoke at a recent NorCal event. These are points she covered in her talk on taxes for writers: Think like a business, look like a business, be seen as a business and, most of all, take advantage of tax laws for businesses. The IRS recognizes two types of […]
NWU Stands With Pakistan Media Workers and PFUJ
The National Writers Union condemns the violent March 4 attacks on both media centers and print and photo journalists in Pakistan. We especially stand in solidarity with our sister union, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), and their President Rena M. Azeem, who was hospitalized after being injured by a mob in Lahore. The […]
“Freelance Isn’t Free” Advances in the NY City Council
New York City – February 29: “The company closed, the owners took the furniture and equipment out of the office and disappeared. There was no bankruptcy, no one was notified—they simply closed…Freelancers got nothing! The total loss to 40 workers exceeds $300,000. I was owed more than $20,000.” That was a part of NWU VP […]
NWU VPs Testimony to the NY City Council
Mauricio Niebla Thank you for the opportunity to speak today about my experience as a freelancer.My name is Mauricio Niebla, I’m a writer, and as most writers, I am a freelancer. I have been a freelancer my entire professional life, for almost 30 years. I have been unpaid for jobs many times, but the most […]
NWU Statement on the Freelance Isn’t Free Act
The National Writers Union/ UAW Local 1981, supports the Freelancers Union’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act, and we urge the New York City Council to make it law. Our members, who are writers in all genres, in all media and on all platforms, are no strangers to nonpayment. We know how hard it can be to […]
Accountant Shares Tips at ‘Taxes for Writers’ Event
Therese Francis, PhD, an NWU member from New Mexico, led an informative and timely session, Taxes for Writers, on January 7 in San Francisco. NWU’s Northern California Chapter and the Mechanics’ Institute Library and Chess Room co-sponsored the workshop. A writer, publisher and accountant, Francis kicked off the current tax season with the lunchtime event […]
TAKE AUTHORS SURVEY, BOOST NWU
What is the easiest way to support your union? Completing an Authors Coalition survey. Each response can generate the same income for the NWU as gaining one new member. In 2015, your participation helped us accrue nearly $160,000 in non-title specific royalty payments. This amount is directly linked to the number of completed surveys. However, […]
POTENTIAL BLOW TO UNIONISM
In June, the Supreme Court will make an important decision regarding unionism when it rules on Friedrichs vs. the California Teachers Association. The case stands to reverse a 40-year precedent established in the 1977 case of Abood vs. the Detroit Board of Education. That ruling established public-sector unions’ right to collect “fair-share fees” from all […]
NWU is the sole provider of IFJ Press Passes to freelance journalists in the U.S.