On December 23, New York State freelancers acquired a serious blow with the information that Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed the Freelance Is not Free laws (S8369B/A9368A). Sadly, that is the second freelance laws the governor has vetoed this yr after rejecting a plan to broaden the Safe Selection Regulation (S8654A/A9882A) that might have included freelancers in a state-sponsored retirement program. The Freelancers Union continues to consider that New York is essentially the most progressive residence for freelancers within the nation, however with this information we urge New York to extend protections for unbiased staff commensurate with the numerous contributions that freelance work brings.

Rafael Espinal, Government Director of the Freelancer Union stated: “With 39% of the full US workforce being freelance this yr and a complete of $1.35 trillion in annual income for the US economic system coming from freelance contributions, we’re saddened by the governor’s calculation that in our price range there’s inadequate area to adequately shield cultivation self-employed within the state. We thank the legislature for passing this important piece of laws and can little doubt be again in January to make sure we get this accomplished on the subsequent session.”

“The Nationwide Writers Union and the tens of 1000’s of freelance writers, authors and media professionals in NYS are deeply upset by the governor’s veto. Freelance Is not Free merely requires a written contract and fee inside 30 days of invoicing, which needs to be the naked minimal in H&S.” stated Larry Goldbetter, President of the Nationwide Writers Union. “Final-minute vetoing of a invoice over a scarcity of funding from the Labor Division is troubling, particularly when Freelance Is’t Free, like the opposite payments within the package deal, handed each homes in a legislature that ended six months in the past. That is of explicit concern as Governor Hochul was elected in November with the assist of unions and staff. This setback solely strengthens our resolve to struggle to guard freelancers and win Freelance Is’t Free within the new yr.”

Thanks to sponsors Senator Andrew Gounardes and MP Harry Bronson for standing by freelancers and ensuring freelancers do not come free of charge. We additionally thank the sponsors of the Safe Selection Modification Act, Senator Diane Savino and Member of Parliament Albert A. Stirpe Jr. The Freelancers Union is proud to have labored with these lawmakers and all stakeholders in our coalition. Regardless of this unlucky final result, we’re pleased with the progress we have made serving the unbiased freelancer.

A couple of third or 60 million People are freelance or contract staff, with New York being residence to the biggest inhabitants of unbiased contractors. The pandemic has continued to remodel the work panorama in America, resulting in a gradual enhance within the variety of freelancers whereas additionally highlighting the shortage of protections for this rising work sector. A current examine by the Impartial Financial system Council discovered that 74% of respondents should not paid on time, whereas 59% owe $50,000 or extra for work already accomplished. We proceed to see the true penalties of NYC’s groundbreaking Freelance Is not Free legislation, which has protected over 2,000 freelancers and recovered over $2 million in owed compensation for his or her work in New York Metropolis. Freelancers all through New York State will proceed to don’t have any ensures of receiving well timed funds and being free from exploitation till that is enacted statewide.