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 […]
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
OUR DIGITAL OUTREACH PROJECT In 2013, we identified improving internal and external digital communication as our greatest strategic need, and followed up by launching a 2-year project to upgrade our website and database. In that spirit, I’m proposing a Digital Outreach Project that will be conducted mainly through Twitter and Facebook, helping us to draw […]
‘Freelance Isn’t Free’ Bill Introduced
NEW YORK — December 7, 2015 — About 80 freelancers gathered on the City Hall steps in support of a bill introduced in the New York City Council that would protect freelancers against non-payment. The #FreelanceIsn’tfree Act would penalize clients who refuse to pay freelancers within 30 days, and would subject them to double damages, […]
We Are One: Celebrating Workers Stories
Labor activists and leaders joined rank and file workers recently to celebrate the release of a beautiful book of photos and oral histories featuring American union members. Actor and activist Danny Glover; former UAW President Bob King, NYS Commissioner of Labor Roberta Reardon; UAW Division 9A Director Julie Kushner; and PSC/CUNY Welfare Fund’s Larry Morgan […]
Are Websites Stealing Your Work?
We keep hearing from people who see their articles or book chapters reprinted in blogs, or offered for sale on various websites, without their knowledge or consent. One member recently demanded payment from such a blog, and got it. But if that fails, you can have the work removed by invoking the Digital Millennium Copyright Act […]
Fight for $15 Protest
NEW YORK, November 10, 2015 – Tens of thousands of fast-food, airport, child-care, home- care and many more underpaid workers took to the streets in 500 cities across the country today, demanding a minimum wage of $15 per hour. It’s estimated that there are 64 million workers making less than $15 an hour, including hundreds […]
TV Writers Rally, Unionize
At the latest rally in Manhattan for the unionized writers at Original Media, writers at a sister reality TV production company, Leftfield Entertainment, announced on October 13 that they voted to unionize by a 2-1 margin. Original Media, owned by international, multimillion dollar conglomerate Endemol Shine Group, produces shows such as Ink Master, Comic Book […]
No Rubber Stamp for Staples
Staples and the United States Postal Service (USPS) have set up postal counters in the chain’s big box stores, where Staples’ low-paid, minimally trained staff can ship consumer packages. Hundreds of downtown business centers, major malls, and uptown shopping districts now operate with Staples’ “approved shipper program,” a privatization plan that weakens public services and […]
NWU President’s Report * October 2015
2015 Delegate Assembly More than 50 members and guests attended the National Writers Union Delegate Assembly (DA) this summer in New York City. The delegates were selected from chapters around the country, and reflected a wealth of diversity in terms of age, race, and gender. We also welcomed new chapter chairs from New York; Washington, […]
NWU is the sole provider of IFJ Press Passes to freelance journalists in the U.S.