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Mr. Michael Grady's Blog

by mrmgrady from South St. Louis City

Last Post 27 days, 19 hours Ago


Freelancers Union
Feb 16, 2008 | 1:22 PM
Category: News
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I saw this on PBS recently. Looks very interesting!

Corporations are taking benefits from workers by calling them "freelancers."

Temporary workers and independent contractors make up nearly a third of the U.S. workforce, and represent a growing asset to companies who rely on freelance flexibility. But corporations are using the designation "freelancer" to avoid paying health care and other benefits, even though many of these workers put in the same hours as their covered counterparts. NOW looks at the effect of this tactic on the lives and personal economy of freelance workers.

Program Resources» Video
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» E-mail this page to a friend We also examine an Enterprising Idea to help independent workers manage their personal needs, including benefits, networking and investment help. Freelancers Union, founded by former labor lawyer and MacArthur grant recipient Sara Horowitz, provides a safety net for over 60,000 workers, but how is it viewed by the traditional labor movement?

This is part of NOW's series on social entrepreneurs called "Enterprising Ideas"

More From NOW: Benefits Denied | Freelancers Up Close | What is a Freelancer? | Enterprising Ideas | Feedback Forum | Transcript -->
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Topic Search: Business, Employment, Income Related Links:

Freelancers Union Website

Gawker: Coverage of "permalancer" issues

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mrmgrady

My new avitar is of my cat, "Max." I work in the insurance industry, but I am interested in healthcare, (I worked as an EMT for St. Louis EMS from 1984-1989 and was in the field for over 10 years) social welfare issues, (I have a bachelor's degree in Social Work from UMSL) politics, religions of all sorts and racial and cultural relations. I have a new cat named "Max" whom I picked up from the animal shelter. He is a younger version of "Socks" my old cat. I enjoy Classical and Jazz Music, although I cannot read music nor play any instrument. I love baseball, but I am not athletic. I love to watch the weather and even watch the NOAA weather radars while at work. Weather is sort of a hobby of mine. I am a "healthy skeptic" when it comes to politicians and all things political.

Member Since: 9/15/2006


 

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