New Unionism & 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.

Download the report (and print the .pdf file)

2006 survey findings include:

Independent workers lack benefits traditional workers have.

• In the past year, roughly 39% of respondents experienced a period without health insurance; about half of these did not have health insurance for the entire previous year.

• 1/2 of respondents have saved less than $10,000 for retirement.

• 79% of respondents would be willing to pay to get access to an unemployment insurance program.

The independent workforce is an untapped constituency that votes.

• 3% of respondents feel that elected officials understand what being a freelancer is like, and 10% feel that the media understand.

• 81% of respondents view freelancers as a group with common interests and goals.

• 92% are registered voters; 90% have voted in a national election in the last 5 years.