Wanting ahead to Giving Tuesday on November 28 and a fundraising bash on December 1, government director Rafael Espinal highlights how the Freelancers Union helps to form the way forward for work for everybody.
Freelancing is greater than a solitary endeavor—it is about being a part of a energetic neighborhood that transcends industries. Rafael Espinal, Govt Director of Freelancers Union, joins us to share particulars concerning the nonprofit org’s upcoming fundraiser social gathering in Bushwick on December 1, the importance of Giving Tuesday on November 28, and the way the Freelancers Union is influencing the way forward for freelancing and the workforce as a complete.
Whether or not it’s $5 or $100, on or earlier than November 28, each donation counts. To point out our appreciation, we’re providing discounted social gathering tickets to our greatest occasion of the yr with code “FUMEMBER.”
CC: Rafael, as we strategy Giving Tuesday, might you share why it is essential for freelancers and their allies to contribute to the Freelancers Union?
RE: Giving Tuesday is a pivotal day for us. As an advocacy group for freelancers, we offer assets, curated data, and advocacy with out charging any charges. Members pay zero dues. It is a day for members—and for everybody who desires to assist artistic and unbiased staff—to provide again via tax-deductible donations, guaranteeing that we will proceed to assist freelancers of their journey and advocate for the groundbreaking Freelancing Isn’t Free Act (FIFA) throughout the nation.
CC: Freelancers Union operates with a small however mighty crew. Are you able to make clear its dimension and effectivity?
RE: We’re a crew of about seven administrators, every dealing with an important position, from member advantages to advocacy. Each greenback donated helps us preserve our effectivity, ease the workload, and probably make new hires to raised assist freelancers. There’s a variety of work that occurs within the background to curate companions and assets with freelancers’ finest pursuits in thoughts. We do every little thing we will to make sure that you may have the instruments it is advisable to succeed as a freelancer.
CC: How does Freelancers Union lengthen its advantages past freelancers, reaching even these in conventional nine-to-five jobs?
RE: Our focus is on enhancing the standard of life for freelancers, and by doing so, we’re enhancing situations for your entire workforce. In the course of the pandemic particularly, we noticed the hurdles that freelancers face, primarily the dearth of primary rights and advantages. Supporting us means advocating for the better good of all staff. A rising tide lifts all boats, as they are saying. We battle to make sure that all folks have the fundamental proper to healthcare and the fundamental proper to advantages they should shield themselves within the case that they are out of labor. Highlighting the plight of the freelancer additionally highlights the plight of so many staff in our nation.
CC: There’s a variety of buzz round inexpensive healthcare, however “inexpensive” is a relative time period. Sticker shock at the price of medical insurance plans is a actuality for a lot of freelancers. How does the Freelancers Union navigate this problem for its members?
RE: Healthcare prices are regulated by federal legal guidelines, and quite a bit has modified below the Reasonably priced Care Act. Earlier than it handed in 2010, Freelancers Union had its personal medical insurance firm with group charges for unbiased staff. Present rules don’t permit for that. Long term, we assist advocacy round Medicare for All, a single-payer well being care system with complete advantages for everybody in the US. Within the meantime, we work inside present bounds to determine essentially the most inexpensive insurance coverage plans.
Our intention is to alleviate freelancers from the burden of navigating the market by curating the most effective choices out there. We’re additionally exploring artistic options, like our current partnership with Galileo. Their telehealth companies provide 24/7 entry to a health care provider with zero copays or charges. There’s additionally an possibility so as to add on a advantages bundle with discounted prescription imaginative and prescient and dental, at a price of $300 for your entire yr. Damaged down month-to-month, for about $20 to $25 a month, you may entry a health care provider and get discounted prescriptions, imaginative and prescient, and dental as in the event you had insurance coverage.
CC: Wanting ahead to the December 1 social gathering in assist of Freelancers Union, I ponder the way you create a unifying expertise for such a various neighborhood?
RE: Freelancers come from totally different fields, however the frequent thread is independence. The fundraiser is a celebration of this unity and cross-pollination, a recognition of freelancers as an important a part of the economic system. It is a casual occasion— a enjoyable social gathering at Sleepwalk in Bushwick, organized by the artistic company Advert Hoc Initiatives. Additionally they work with companions like Pitchfork, Pioneer Works, and Grownup Swim on artistic technique and occasion manufacturing, and so they co-launched the nonprofit NYC Nightlife United to maintain and advocate for nightlife staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sleepwalk venue is cool—a cocktail bar slash efficiency area. Kristine Barilli, a New York-based resident at Lot Radio and former Music Director at Public Information, will DJ. It is a tremendous informal occasion, with meals, drinks, a particular raffle, and the chance for freelancers to community. You’ll be able to entry discounted social gathering tickets with code “FUMEMBER.” Come have time on a Friday night time, and present our power in numbers!
