Before we go any further, let’s dispel a myth or two. First, it’s a common misconception that you do not need a trade union if you’re self-employed. After all, there’s no boss to negotiate with over pay and conditions, holiday entitlement or discrimination at work.
While all the above is correct, it’s incorrect to assume a trade union can’t help you in your work if you’re self-employed or work freelance. On the contrary, being part of a union such as the Community union can make a difference to your way of life.
Here are a few sobering statistics:
The most recent statistics (August 2020) show that there are 4.56 million self-employed people in the UK, while at the start of 2020 (pre-pandemic), this figure was 5 million.
The most significant percentage of self-employed people in the UK are aged 54-65
HMRC received 2.6 million claims out of a possible 3.4 million eligible people for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
How Community Union Can Help
Self-employed people face workplace insecurities and being exploited by temporary employers over:
Low pay
Not being paid
No guaranteed hours
Financial problems
No employment rights, including no sick pay or parental leave
And more…
Being part of a bigger voice like Community means you have a large organisation experienced at negotiating at the government and policy level, advocating on your behalf.
Our Work Behind the Scenes
For example, Community has been campaigning hard to stop the Universal Credit cut of £20 per week. This cut will be tough to bear by hard-hit self-employed people who were not eligible for the government’s Coronavirus support schemes.
Elsewhere, we work closely with parliamentary Labour Party colleagues to lobby for changes to legislation and policies relating to issues affecting self-employed people, including self-employed support and sick pay.
Day-to-day Advice and Support
We can also support you with day to day difficulties you may be experiencing as a self-employed worker by giving you expert advice and legal support on a wide range of issues, including tax, finances, your rights, and discrimination. Our trained advisers at our Service Centre have decades of knowledge and experience under their belts to support self-employed members through any difficult circumstances they may face.
Community partners with lawyers across the UK. Our members can access free or discounted legal services for issues such as injury support, will writing, personal legal services and problems at work.
Community has negotiated some excellent discounts and savings on behalf of its members. These include discounts on your groceries and household expenses, days out, holidays and health and wellbeing.
In short, we are the collective voice of the self-employed and freelance workforce. Joining the Community union means you are part of a collaborative and robust voice campaigning for change without losing the freedom and flexibility you enjoy as a self-employed worker.
If you want to be part of making change happen and believe that the government needs to introduce a new deal for the self-employed, sign our petition here.
Join Us
It’s easy to be part of the Community union, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Our fees start at £2.92 a month. That’s less than the price of a cup of coffee.
There’s never been a better time for self-employed and freelance workers to be part of the Community union. Join here or call our Service Centre on 0800 389 6332. Alternatively, send an email to help@community-tu-org.
Be part of the collective voice of thousands of self-employed people working in all sectors who want a better world of work for themselves.
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