Why you should (maybe) join a union
Original: Essay
I’m indie writer Teague de La Plaine, author of the bestselling Sea at Sunrise and other stories. This is my weekly newsletter, where I talk about writing and self-publishing in addition to my own life. I keep the newsletter free, because I prefer you spend your money on my books.
The Freelancer's Union is a labor union that represents the interests of freelance workers. It was founded in 2007 and has over 50,000 members in the United States and Canada. The Freelancer's Union offers a variety of benefits to its members, including:
Access to health insurance and other benefits. The Freelancer's Union has negotiated health insurance plans with major insurers, as well as discounts on other benefits like dental and vision insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance.
Access to legal assistance. The Freelancer's Union offers legal assistance to its members on a variety of issues, including contract disputes, copyright infringement, and intellectual property theft.
Access to discounts on products and services. The Freelancer's Union has negotiated discounts with a variety of companies on products and services like software, travel, and office supplies.
Access to educational resources. The Freelancer's Union offers a variety of educational resources to its members, including online courses, webinars, and workshops.
Access to a community of freelancers. The Freelancer's Union has a community of over 50,000 freelancers who can provide support and advice to each other.
In addition to these benefits, the Freelancer's Union also lobbies for policies that benefit freelancers, such as the right to overtime pay and the right to paid sick leave.
If you are a freelancer, the Freelancer's Union can be a valuable resource for you. It can help you to protect your rights, get the benefits you need, and connect with other freelancers.
Here are some additional benefits of joining the Freelancer's Union:
Peace of mind. Knowing that you have access to legal assistance and other benefits can give you peace of mind as you work as a freelancer.
Financial security. The Freelancer's Union can help you to save money on health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance.
Professional development. The Freelancer's Union offers a variety of educational resources that can help you to develop your skills and advance your career.
Community. The Freelancer's Union has a community of over 50,000 freelancers who can provide support and advice to each other.
If you are a freelancer, I encourage you to join the Freelancer's Union. It is a valuable resource that can help you to protect your rights, get the benefits you need, and connect with other freelancers.
Here are some specific examples of how the Freelancer's Union has helped its members:
A freelancer was injured on the job and needed help filing a workers' compensation claim. The Freelancer's Union provided legal assistance and helped the freelancer get the benefits they deserved.
A freelancer was having trouble getting paid by a client. The Freelancer's Union sent a collection letter on the freelancer's behalf and helped the freelancer get paid.
A freelancer was struggling to find health insurance. The Freelancer's Union helped the freelancer find a plan that fit their needs and budget.
A freelancer was looking to learn new skills. The Freelancer's Union offered the freelancer a discount on an online course that helped them advance their career.
A freelancer was feeling isolated and alone. The Freelancer's Union connected the freelancer with other freelancers in their area who could provide support and advice.
If you are a freelancer, I encourage you to learn more about the Freelancer's Union and to consider joining. It is a valuable resource that can help you to protect your rights, get the benefits you need, and connect with other freelancers.
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