Unemployment Protection

Overview

Unemployment insurance helps stabilize the economy and protect workers who become unemployed. Unfortunately, access to unemployment insurance is virtually nonexistent for independent workers, who are one third of the workforce.


The system's failure to grow along with the workforce means it isn't helping today's unemployed. Freelancers Union believes there are strategies to revise and expand the system to be more inclusive.

Read the brief (PDF)

Campaign

Was there a time you didn't have enough work to support yourself?

Share your story.

Issue Timeline

  • April 2009: Urban Policy grad students present proposals for unemployment programs.
  • March 2009: Mayor Bloomberg endorses unemployment protection proposal.
  • January 2009: Mass layoffs highlight the gap in the social safety net.

We Asked:

In the last year, were there periods of time when you did not have work?