Unions and the self-employment challenge

Simon assesses the prospects for growing unionisation of the self-employed, looking at the greater appetite for collective voice and belief that more can be achieved by working together on issues that matter most.  Established and new unions are reporting a new enthusiasm with NUJ recruitment up by as much as 60%, and new actors such as The Creator Union coming onto the stage.

 

But this should be no surprise.  The self-employed sector now accounts for 1 in 6 of UK workers, some 5 million people.  And 40% of them are on poverty pay.  And as becomes sadly clear, the lack of diversity in the creative industries is no accident – and that makes action on inclusivity imperative.

With Pam Morton (NUJ) Kate Dearden (Community) founders of the new Creator Union, Kat Molesworth and Nicole Ocran, and Paul Evans (BECTU) .

UnionDues is part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network.  Read the companion blogpost. A Makes-you-Think production.

Timestamps- NUJ - 2m55s, Community - 11m23s, TCU - 19m04s, Bectu - 31m13s