NEW YORK - September 9, 2004 - Working Today, the non-profit group that addresses the needs of America's growing independent workforce through advocacy, information and service, honored New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver last night for his continued and unwavering support of the organization's mission.

Executive Director of Working Today, Sara Horowitz said, "Assembly Speaker Silver's support, vision and leadership have been crucial to the success and growth of our organization. At a time when many policymakers failed to grasp the health-insurance crisis faced by the thousands of independent New York workers who cannot find affordable coverage simply because they fall outside the traditional W-2 employment model, Assembly Speaker Silver championed our cause and took action on our behalf. We're happy to honor him this evening, and look forward to working even more closely with him in the future."

Through its Freelancers Union, Working Today has emerged as a key conduit and group-rate sponsor of affordable health, life and disability insurance for several thousand New York-based freelancers and independent workers. Approximately one million workers in the New York area alone " and up to 30% of the national workforce " fall into this large, fast-growing segment of the labor pool.

Ms. Horowitz went on to point out that Assembly Speaker Silver was one of the first legislators to understand and recognize that freelancers are a huge, fast-growing segment of the labor pool, and they are a critically important engine for our City's economy. She explained that his leadership has enabled Working Today to expand its membership rolls and to deliver the portable benefits program that freelancers desperately need.

Said Sheldon Silver, Assembly Speaker, New York State Assembly: "Working Today's Portable Benefits Network is truly a model for innovation in the delivery of health insurance for those who work but do not receive coverage through their employer," said Speaker Silver. "Freelance and independent workers are a growing and increasingly important segment of our workforce, particularly in places such as Silicon Alley, the Assembly district I represent. It is self-defeating economic policy to force these workers out of their jobs and out of this City simply because they cannot afford health care. Fortunately, there are leaders such as Sara Horowitz and forward-thinking organizations such as Working Today and the Assembly Majority working together to respond to the challenges of our 21st Century economy."

The award ceremony was held last evening on the Lower East Side of Manhattan at the Abrons Arts Center, part of the Henry Street Settlement. Henry Street was founded in 1893 by social work pioneer Lillian Wald, who hoped to provide decent health care to residents of the area's tenements. Today, the Henry Street Settlement delivers a wide range of social service and arts programming to more than 100,000 New Yorkers each year.

Added Ms. Horowitz: "It's very fitting that we gather this evening near the Henry Street Settlement, which since its founding more than a hundred years ago has worked hard to provide New Yorkers with a better standard of living. In some ways, Working Today is attempting to follow in these same footsteps in seeking creative but practical ways to level the playing field and improve the lives of independent workers, a vibrant, growing and important segment of the workforce that is too frequently overlooked and under-appreciated."

At the gathering, Working Today also announced the results of its recent membership poll on "The Top 10 Companies to Freelance For in New York City." More than 1,100 freelancers voted in the poll. The Top 10 Companies for 2004 were: AOL-Time Warner; BBC; Cond" Nast Publications; HBO; MTV Networks; Ogilvy & Mather; The New York Times; Thirteen WNET; Time Inc.; and Viacom.

Ms. Horowitz explained that Freelancers Union conducted the poll as a means of assessing which employment issues were most important to freelancers, and to begin the process of establishing a core set of "best industry standards."

"Independent workers, who often fall outside of the traditional worker rights and safety guarantees afforded more traditional workers, need and deserve a set of fair industry practices and guidelines to help protect them and their families," said Ms. Horowitz.

More About Freelancers Union and WORKING TODAY

Freelancers Union is part of WORKING TODAY, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to address the needs of America's growing independent workforce through advocacy, information and service. Founded in 1995 by Sara Horowitz, a MacArthur "Genius" Award recipient, the group addresses the needs and concerns of freelancers, consultants, independent contractors, temps, part-timers, contingent employees and the self-employed, who collectively make up about 30% of the nation's workforce.

In recent years, Freelancers Union has emerged as a key conduit and group-rate sponsor of affordable health, life and disability insurance for several thousand New York-based freelancers and independent workers. For example, qualifying New York freelancers can choose between two health coverage options that cost between $200 and $270 per month through Freelancers Union, compared with the average, open-market HMO premiums of more than $500 per month.

Based in Brooklyn, WORKING TODAY has received grants and other support from both the State and City of New York, as well as from leading foundations, including the Ford Foundation, J.P. Morgan Chase, the New York Community Trust, United Hospital Fund, the Rockefeller Family Fund and others.

In 2004, Working Today was named one of Fast Company's Top 20 Social Capitalist organizations.