Set freelancers free

The Israeli freelancers union is underway.

Now those feelings had a sympathetic address. Frustrated freelancers were pouring out their heart to me. It surprised everyone including my editors. On email lists of women in hi tech, freelance writers, and technical writers, it was discussed for weeks. People would stop me even months later in the supermarket to share their war stories as freelancers.

As a born anarchist, I felt compelled to do something. But I did not even know where and how to begin organizing a freelancer’s association. Since they could provide resources and expertise that was otherwise not available and poorly paid freelancers could ill afford, it seemed logical to approach the Histadrut. The other unions in Israel probably do not have as many resources.

At the Histadrut, I met with the urbane David Galanos, president of the 50,000 member National Federation of Graphical, Media, Entertainment, and Energy, and Doron Carney, his number two. The two of then could not have been more accommodating and were eager to help our nascent venture.

People may have held the nose at the Histadrut but they emailed wanting to explore the possibility of a union. The energy buzzing about a freelancer’s association could have lit up Azrieli Tower. Many women were understandably concerned about maternity benefits. One wrote, "I worry about loss of income due to a temporary or permanent disability." The writer has been working for the same US paper for ten years so why is not she entitled to unemployment benefits.

Many expressed resentment that they were forced to be freelancers without benefits or status at the same job for long periods of time.

A graduate of Columbia University wrote that Scitex would only hire her as a freelancer when she first made aliyah. They refused to hire her as a full time employee. Being a new immigrant, she had no choice but to accept their terms. As soon as she could, the new immigrant left for greener pastures. In the end, it was Scitex’s loss because she became one of the most successful technical writers in the country. That is the point. Treating workers well is a win/ win for both employer and employee.

Late payments, which sometimes morph into non payments, are the bane of most freelancers. One freelancer wrote that Hebrew University owes her money for 7 months.

The freelancer’s union in Israel will not be reinventing the wheel. The National Writers Union which fought to preserve separate electronic rights for its members from such venerable employers as the New York Times, the Freelancers Union, and the Canada Freelancers Union all came before us and have achieved substantial benefits for their members.

The website of the Canadian Union sums it best: “Create a strong collective voice for freelancers and other independent professionals-to improve their income, benefits, and working conditions. We believe that uniting everyone who works in Canada’s media will be good for everyone.”

We need to remember that there is strength in numbers. A call from the Histadrut can produce miracles. President David Galanos at one of our meetings told a tale of a firing that was magically transformed into a misunderstanding, and the “fired” employee went back to work the next day. Freelancers will have someone helping fight their battles.

Although my friends are already calling me Norma Rae, the purpose of this union is not just to raise hell and rattle recalcitrant employers. People have expressed an interest in group pension, life insurance, and disability benefits at more favorable rates than we can achieve on our own. Galanos assured us at the meeting that he can negotiate us favorable packages citing one example of a reduction of 5% on the commissions for volume. In any case, we plan to establish a committee to investigate the best options.

The union has already agreed to start discussion with the appropriate authorities on our behalf to change practices of the Tax Authority that make life hard for freelancers. We will conduct seminars in English and Hebrew with legal, financial, and accounting professionals provided by the union.

The best part is that all these services will cost the equivalent of a cup of coffee and croissant each month. I, for one, can stand to eat one less croissant.

Sadly, I also have received hate mail. David wrote, “What a terrible idea. I hope you fail. You are going to make it harder for the rest of us to get work.” I can counter with advice from Ayn Rand. “Learn to value yourself.”

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on November 7, 2007

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2007