This year MEAA freelancers have been organising across the industry to get much needed recognition and improvements to freelance conditions. Specifically, strike action at Nine Publishing from both in-house staff and freelancers has secured a seat at the table with management to discuss rates and conditions. News Corp have also agreed to give freelancers a seat at the table, and pressure is escalating on Guardian Australia to do the same.
Come and hear an update on how these campaigns are going, listen to other freelancers share their experiences, and have your say on how we can move forwards towards building industrial power for freelancers.
The goal is for publications to sign the MEAA Freelance Charter – a document which would bind them to transparent minimum rates, annual increases, timely payment and other basic provisions which in-house journalists have, and which are a basic requirement for working people everywhere.
Freelancers have already negotiated signed agreements with Overland and Private Media (Crikey). It is crucial we use our momentum and do the same at larger media companies.
Over the past twenty years freelancers have seen conditions stagnate and go backwards, despite the cost-of-living skyrocketing over the same period.
Media outlets are increasingly relying on the exploitation of freelancers to maintain their bottom lines and are using every opportunity to whittle away freelance rates and conditions, and to find ways to use our work without compensating us properly.
More and more freelancers are saying “enough is enough!” and are getting organised to take on these outlets, as the campaigns at Nine, News Corp and The Guardian demonstrate. Without significant collective action nothing will change, management will keep kicking the can down the road. But when we act collectively, we have the power to make management take us seriously, listen to our concerns and improve our conditions.
Come to the MEAA mass meeting of freelancers to find out how you can play your part and invite your freelance colleagues to attend.
