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Topic: National Writers Union
| Author | Message |
| L.J. | Posted – 10/4/2008 5:42:56 PM | show profile Wanted to ask opinions on the importance of joining this union for freelance writers. Anyone? |
| rozwrite | Posted – 10/5/2008 1:00:52 AM | show profile It's a good organization to join if you need advocating for publications that don't pay, need health insurance or need a national press pass. The meetings and activities depend on your local orginizers. |
| rozwrite | Posted – 10/5/2008 1:02:09 AM | show profile It's a good organization to join if you need advocating for publications that don't pay, need health insurance or need a national press pass. The meetings and activities depend on your local organizers. |
| snappiness | Posted – 10/7/2008 9:13:23 AM | show profile I have been a member before. It didn't do a whole lot for me, especially after they joined with the United Auto Workers Union, or something like that. They talk a lot of general "let's organize!" union rhetoric and not much specific to helping writers. |
| maphop | Posted – 10/7/2008 10:12:54 AM | show profile There's no question that the NWU isn't the organization that it used to be; they have had a lackluster president and lost some of their most pro-active board members over the last couple of years. Still, the points made above - help in deciphering contracts, assistance in knowing what to do for non-payment, etc. - are still valid and there are other, different benefits too. Yes, they're part of the UAW (United Auto Workers) union which can feel a little weird but which comes with a whole lot of perks including discounted health, auto and home insurance plans, discounts with moving companies, special rates on credit cards, discounts on tax preparation, etc. They're the kinds of discounts that only major companies or major unions can offer their members so depending on your needs, it can pay off in a big way and far more than your membership dues. |
| Shea | Posted – 10/7/2008 1:52:36 PM | show profile I agree w/Snappiness. I belonged to the NWU for a few years and all it ever did for me was cash my dues checks. There was nothing practical gained from it besides getting a Union Plus credit card. The wesbite was hardly ever updated (everything was either not functioning or five years out of date), and very little attention was paid to members besides political protesting and taking our money every year. Don't bother. |
