Oh, man, this was all over Twitter this morning… California writers, PAY ATTENTION!

Big Job Losses

On January 1st, the new Independent Contractor law goes into effect here in CA. Originally designed to improve working conditions for contractors that were actually employees, it’s having a ripple effect in the world of content creators. According to posts by Writer Beware, California writers’ contracts will be cancelled as companies (like Vox Media) look elsewhere for their freelance work. 

See previous article on this subject

See “Vox Media Ends Work With California Freelance Writers Ahead of Gig Economy Law” at hollywoodreporter.com

See “Publishers Brace for California Labor Law Changes” at  Publishers Weekly

This is gonna put a LOT of people out of work. Maybe force them back into the labor force. Sadly, in CA right now the only plentiful jobs are in service-related industries that pay about $12-14/hr. This is not looking good. At first I thought maybe things would not go this badly once the new IC law goes into effect but I was WRONG. I never expected that freelancers in CA would lose their contracts or that companies would decide to cancel all work going forward.

CNBC reported that other media sites like Eater and Curbed are also changing their business relationships with CA freelancers, resulting in HUNDREDS of lost gigs. The big issue is the cap on writing 35 articles per year, written in the law’s language as “submissions.” What’s worse is CA freelancers won’t even be considered for company job notices like transcription and SEO writing because of the new IC law. Others are outright BLACKLISTING CA freelancers from applying. ?????!!!!!!

And that’s not all… now NY and NJ are considering similar legislation… don’t let them take away your ability to earn a living as a freelancer!

A Light on the Horizon?

A new FB group, California Freelance Writers United has banded together and met with legislators regarding a proposed amendment. If you live in CA, please join this group and stand up for your work! Let’s stand up for our bread and butter!