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
