Workers of the world, unite (for totally self-interested reasons)!

Image via Wikipedia

When someone told me they were a “freelancer,” I used to smile politely and feign interest in the groundbreaking novel slash interpretive dance they were working on. Fascinating, I’m sure. But I also knew that they probably spent most of their time mixing mojitos and serving grilled branzino to people with real jobs— you know, the kind with health benefits and a retirement plan. The kind of job that I was going to have when I graduated from college and moved to New York City.

And then I moved to New York City. After interviewing dozens of people with “real” jobs, I reluctantly absorbed the most common and feverishly delivered piece of advice: do what you love. For me, that’s sociology and non-profiteering à la The Lattice Group. And, so I found myself just another 20-something living in New York City with big dreams and no stable income or benefits (and I wasn’t even qualified to mix mojitos).

I am not alone, however; and now I have a leader.  Her name is Sara Horowitz, and she is the founder of Freelancers Union. I had come across Freelancers Union a while back, but it wasn’t until hearing the new gospel in person that it really sunk in. Horowitz was a keynote speaker at the American Sociological Association’s Annual Meeting (think: 5,000 PhDs and lots of shoulder pads), where I was in attendance. She was magical— or, rather, biblical.

Horowitz started out by recounting Exodus, the bestselling tale of how Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and to the Mountain of God. See, the Israelites were working for this really mean boss (the Pharaoh), who paid them no money or benefits (slavery). So they peaced out. Horowitz argues that this “exodus” was actually the very first strike, and that Moses was just a damn good union leader.

Despite this fascinating revelation, unions remain terribly and increasingly unpopular in the United States (especially now, when words like “socialism” are being used as curses). Only 12 percent of workers in the U.S. belong to a union—even though unionized workers earn 28 percent more than non-unionized workers, according to The New York Times’ lone remaining labor reporter, Steven Greenhouse. Unions are still a force to be reckoned with in Europe, however; twenty-six percent of workers are unionized on average across the EU. The Scandinavian countries have a much higher rate of union membership—a mind-blowing 78 percent of workers in Sweden belong to a union.

While union membership in the U.S. conjures up images of bristly, overall-clad men toiling in the mines, Scandinavian countries have been very successful in unionizing women and service sector employees—two increasingly large segments of the working population. For example, union density in Sweden approaches three-quarters of all workers in the finance, insurance, real estate, and business services sector; in the United States, only 2 percent of workers in that sector are unionized. Despite corporate opposition to unions (they want to pay you as little as possible— duh), workers collectively asking for benefits and higher wages works. In the U.S., 78 percent of unionized private sector employees had employer-provided health insurance, compared with only 49 percent of nonunion workers. Unionized workers are also more likely to have retirement benefits, in addition to higher wages (see AFL-CIO website).

But all of this is besides the point, says Horowitz. The decline of unions is troubling, but the bigger problem for workers today is that our safety net system is desperately outdated. Currently, benefits like health insurance and pension plans are employer-based. You must be employed by a single employer for a significant period of time to receive these benefits. But workers are no longer employer-based. We’re freelancers, consultants, small business-owners, frantic work-life balance crusaders. With 18 percent of workers employed part-time and 10 percent self-employed, almost a third of the work force is not eligible for employer-based benefits. Even if we have a single employer, we probably won’t have the same one for very long. Yet, changing jobs or striking out on your own is oh-so-much less enticing if you know that doings so will jeopardize your health insurance or ability to finance your retirement.

Let’s face it: long-term employment is a thing of the past. Employer-based benefits are equally obsolete. What we need is a worker-based safety net. If you work, you should be able to have health care, a retirement plan, and long-term disability insurance. This is not rocket science. But that doesn’t mean Horowitz’s accomplishments are any less impressive. To date, Freelancers Union has 100,000 members and many thousands receive benefits that would otherwise be out of reach.

You can join Freelancers Union here. Most of us are too self absorbed to buy into the old “workers of the world, unite!” shtick. But even if you have a “real” job now, you may be an independent worker in the future— so it’s in your best interest to support one of the only movements out there that advocates for the rights of the independent workforce.

To support traditional unions (which represent 16 million workers) write to your representative and support the Employee Free Choice Act. Because, yep, joining a union is still a hassle.

- Liz

ps. When we mentioned all this to a freelancer we know, he wrote the following that we thought we might share with you:

I have been freelancing for years. It is my sole income. It has been a truly rewarding and absolutely freeing experience. I have been a member of the Freelancers Union since 2001 – they are a great organization and really are fighting for the rights of the self employed worker.

As a long time freelancer I know its difficult to get insurance – especially for you AND a freelance spouse, but we’ve obtained that coverage with the union. But its more than just the access to the benefits. It’s being part of a movement that has your best interests in mind.

If you do choose this line of work (whatever the industry it is possible to work for yourself) a few things you should know:

1. You will work MORE than your corporate counterparts – however you will not mind as you will most likely be doing something you love.

2. Join the union – they are an immeasurable ally. Join other associations related to your industry. For me its the Graphic Artists Guild and Media Bistro. Associations are an excellent way to make connections AND get things done – like the union.

3. Your local small business association is your friend. Even in the big city. And if you’re in a service industry like me – its a great client connection.

Enjoy.