For freelancers, work in the media and communications sectors can be brutal. Our work conditions, pay and leverage get worse every year, and we struggle to have our voices heard by publishers and owners alike.
As Canada sheds full-time media jobs, more and more media work is done by freelancers, whether writers, editors, photographers, copy editors, researchers or other. Our wages are garbage and we have very little collective power to push back.
On Friday, Februrary 3, 2023, the Canadian Freelance Union and the United Photojournalists of Canada are bringing together freelancer advocates for a day-long summit to find ways to increase our collective power. This will not be a networking conference: we will bring together groups who fight for freelancer rights to develop common strategies to improve freelance working conditions, wages and contracts.
The event is schedule to go from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST with a lunch break.
WHO SHOULD COME TO THIS: anyone associated with an organization that does advocacy work for freelancers. The work does not need to be the core business of your group. If you’re a freelancer who is unaffliated with any group but would like to get involved, please be in touch with coordinator@canadianfreelanceunion.ca.
WHERE IS IT HAPPENING? We will announce the exact location very soon. For now, just know that it will be somewhere in Toronto.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? Nothing! It’s free!
IS THERE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ATTEND? Not yet, though this is why we hope that people affliated with groups attend. Their support for the summit through funding the travel and accommodations of their delegates will help make the summit a successs. Check back regularly for updates in case this changes.
BUT WHAT ABOUT NON-COMMUNICATIONS FREELANCERS? They are very important but this summit will specifically look at communications industry work.
IS THIS JUST A TORONTO THING? No.
IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY PEOPLE MY GROUP CAN SEND? No. But if you are planning to bring many people, please RSVP ASAP so we can ensure we have enough space!
