What is the Freelance Solidarity Project?

The Freelance Solidarity Project is a group of freelance media workers within the National Writers Union. We are building a movement and working together to improve conditions in the industry. We’re currently organizing multiple campaigns at unionized digital media companies, and we believe that by coming together, we can best support each other. The Freelance Solidarity Project is committed to educating media workers about their rights in this precarious industry, and fighting for a more just future.

Who can join the Freelance Solidarity Project?

Membership is open to anyone who pays dues. This includes all media workers, as well as all unpublished writers, editors, illustrators, photographers, videographers, social media producers or creatives in any medium.

Why should I join the Freelance Solidarity Project?

While newsrooms, podcast companies and other shops across the country continue to unionize, we believe that freelancers deserve the benefits of collective bargaining, too. As a member, you will become part of a community that is passionately fighting for better industry standards, and waging campaigns at various publications to hold bosses accountable. You will have a voice in setting our strategy by voting, participating in meetings, joining committees and working groups, and running for elections. Members of the National Writers Union also have access to benefits including press passes, the NWU dental and vision plan, contract advice, grievance assistance and more.

What is an open shop? How is it different from a traditional union?

An open-shop union is a union that is employer-agnostic. You do not have to work for a specific employer or client to join. Membership in an open-shop union is entirely voluntary; as a member, you have no restraints on the kinds of work you can or cannot accept. You can opt to work for whatever employers or clients you choose.

Open-shop unions differ from closed-shop unions in that the latter require members to follow a set of collective agreements. As a member of a closed-shop union, if your union decided to boycott a certain employer — say, a company that had been routinely failing to pay its vendors in a timely manner — your membership in the union would be dependent on honoring that boycott.

Likewise, a “union shop” is an employer that requires an employee to join the union within 30 days of being hired; “closed shop” employers are companies that only hire existing union members. The Freelance Solidarity Project/National Writers Union is an open-shop union.

If I only freelance part-time, or am a full-time staffer, can I join?

Yes.

If I work in media but am not a writer, can I join?

Yes. Our AV Subcommittee for audiovisual workers (audio producers, photographers, videographers, illustrators, animators and more) serves as an organizing home for non-writers within FSP and ensures the concerns of a wide range of media workers are considered in our strategy campaigns and letters of agreement.

If I’m already in a union, can I join?

Yes. Your membership in the Freelance Solidarity Project/National Writers Union does not preclude you from simultaneous membership in another union.

If I’m not based in the United States, can I join?

Yes. Membership is open to anyone, anywhere.

What exactly is the National Writers Union?

The NWU is the only labor union that represents writers working in all genres, formats, and mediums. It’s also the only American affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists. The NWU has a long history of winning better conditions for freelancers, most recently with freelancers from OUT Magazine. For more information, see our member benefits.

How much are dues?

Dues are calculated on a sliding scale based on your self-reported annual freelance income:

Annual income	Monthly dues	OR twice annually	OR annually
Under $5,000	$12.50	$75.00	$150.00
$5,000 – $15,000	$18.75	$112.50	$225.00
$15,000 – $30,000	$25.00	$150.00	$300.00
$30,000 – $50,000	$29.16	$175.00	$350.00
Over $50,000	$33.33	$200.00	$400.00

Where will my dues go?

We use dues to:

Build a legal fund
Support campaigns and membership benefits
Plan and host events
Show solidarity with workers, both in our industry and in our greater community
Ensure that our spaces and events are accessible and inclusive
Fund comprehensive research into the history of media, journalism, and relevant legal/strategical precedents to our campaigns

I’m already a dues-paying member of the NWU but I want to be part of this project. How can I get involved?

Email freelance.solidarity.project@gmail.com.

I still have questions — how can I learn more?

You can sign up for our email list here and get information about our upcoming info sessions, where our members talk through what we do at FSP and can answer your questions! You can also email freelance.solidarity.project@gmail.com to set up a 1:1 with a current FSP Organizing Committee member.

I’m in! How can I sign up?

Sign up here and check “Yes” to join the Freelance Solidarity Project.