Ever felt alone in the universe, just you and your laptop or tools? Have you ever been stiffed by a client and felt like you had nowhere to turn? Or did you ever just want to have a fellow freelancer to talk with after a hard week of picky clients?
Then you, my friend, need to check out the Freelancers Union. It’s not just a collection of writers and graphic designers – there are lawyers, nurses, and entertainment professionals all mixed up in a healthy bunch. They all want equal and fair treatment in a workplace that’s becoming increasingly independent.
The Freelancers Union gives them that respect. Not only do they help the average freelancer get what they need, they help educate the rest of the country on the importance and power of freelancing. Many businesses don’t take their “temporary workers” seriously enough – the Freelancers Union is trying to change that.
World’s Longest Invoice
Not getting respect is one thing, as you don’t need it to pay the bills. A client can think whatever they want of you as long as that check comes in when they say it will – and for how much they owe you.
It’s an entirely different matter when your checkbook is getting messed with. It’s hard to tell if it’s worse when a giant company stiffs you or a regular Joe hires you and disappears. But either way you’re left with less time and no rent money.
Freelancers Union wanted to showcase how bad this was. They created the World’s Longest Invoice, a website devoted to collecting amounts owed to freelancers from deadbeat clients. In just one week the total climbed to $16 million worth of unpaid funds.
$16 million! And that’s just the people who saw the site and contributed. The total amount was sent around to lawmakers to help combat the growing number of deadbeat wages.
Why Should You Join?
The Freelancers Union isn’t just about joining a community and fighting terrible clients, though. There are a ton of other benefits for joining up with them, many of which you’ve undoubtedly wished for at some point.
First off, there’s health insurance. We all know freelancers aren’t exactly loved by the insurance agencies and have to pay quite a bit for coverage if they can afford it at all. Freelancers Union can help you get the coverage you need so you don’t just suffer with a tummy ache or heart murmur. Also, there’s dental coverage for your cavities!
Have you ever thought of retirement? Did it seem like a crazy dream you’d never be able to achieve since that just doesn’t happen in the freelancer world? Well it does now, and Freelancers Union can help make it happen.
Too often independent contractors like you go through life feeling like there’s nobody looking out for them. It can be a very discomforting feeling, especially when the chips are down and it wasn’t even your fault. Consider joining the Freelancers Union to have someone covering your back.
