Publications
2006
New Unionism and the Next Social Safety Net
"New Unionism and the Next Social Safety Net" reports on the challenges independent workers face as they try to put together stable lives without access to our employer-based social safety net.
Although independent workers often pay more taxes than standard employees, they receive fewer benefits and protections from the government. The report argues that a new form of unionism is needed to help update the social safety net for a changing workforce, and makes specific policy recommendations that would improve independent workers' access to equitable taxes, government representation, and traditional social insurance programs.
Creative Workers Count: New York City's Arts Funding Overlooks Individual Artists' Needs
In its 2005 study of New York's independent creative workers - among them artists, composers, illustrators, photographers and writers - Freelancers Union found that despite their high levels of education and civic participation, creative workers are struggling with financial instability generated by an outdated social safety net, erratic employment, and low incomes.
"Creative Workers Count" examines the challenges New York's creative workers face and makes policy recommendations calling for a new social safety net that would allow creative workers to achieve stability here.
2005
The Rise of the Freelance Class: A New Constituency of Workers Building a New Social Safety Net
Freelancing isn't just a way of making a living, it's a way of life. That's what the Freelancers Union found when it surveyed more than 2,800 New York City freelancers in the spring of 2005. Creative, independent and entrepreneurial, many freelancers are fiercely dedicated to their lifestyle. They also make significant sacrifices to freelance. Their experience illustrates the flaws in our system of social insurance, which limits access to health insurance and retirement plans to those with traditional employment relationships.
2004
Educated, Employed and Uninsured: How Independent Workers Fall out of the Social Safety Net
In March, we launched a follow-up survey to last year's survey which told us that an individual would have to earn over $100,000 to afford health insurance in New York City. This year over 4,000 independent workers responded.
Young, Employed, and Uninsured: New York City's Young Independent Workers Face Chronic Gaps in Health Insurance Coverage
Our recently published report, which draws on data from our health insurance affordability survey, highlights the plight of young freelancers who struggle to pay for health insurance and as a result face chronic gaps in coverage. The lack of affordable health insurance options for independent workers under 30 compounds their financial stress, while compromising the city's public health and its creative economy.
The High Price of Creativity: New York City's Artists Face Chronic Gaps in Health Insurance Coverage
Our recently published report, which draws on data from our health insurance affordability survey, details the ways in which artists struggle to afford health insurance and as a result face chronic gaps in coverage. The lack of affordable health insurance options for arts workers compromises New York City's ability to retain its leadership as a creative capital and jeopardizes the city's public health.
2003
Health Insurance (un)Affordability
In January, 2003, Working today conducted an online survey to assess health insurance affordability for independent workers. In the survey, which generated over 800 responses, independent workers indicated that they require some form of assistance to afford current health insurance premiums. In fact, the survey found that unless one earns over $100,000, one cannot afford most health insurance plans in New York.
2001
State of Independent Work Report
Working Today conducted an on-line survey of new media workers with the help of Monitor Consulting. This survey provided the first snapshot of how high-tech independent workers work and access benefits.
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