It has become increasingly difficult for writers to get paid a fair wage for their work. Many publications try to get you to write for “exposure” or are embarrassingly untransparent about their rates. With the help of unions, writers have been fighting back.

…The world of digital journalism is fraught with mass layoffs, discrimination on the basis of race and gender, unfair and unlivable wages, and an incredible lack of diversity. With the help of unions, writers are fighting for their rights as workers and as producers of invaluable entertainment and information.

People don’t usually think of writers when they think of unions, but they have been invaluable in the journey towards the fair treatment of journalists especially right now.

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I love being a writer, but I didn't think it was something I could do as a job until I was 13. Even then, everyone was always telling me that writers don't make any money, so I should probably try doing something else. If you know me at all, you know that telling me not to do something is the best way to get me to do the thing. A lot of people think writing is easy and anyone can do it. While there is some truth to that, there is also a lot more to writing than just sitting down and putting the pen to paper (or the fingers to the keyboard.) When you read a piece of writing, it can be easy not to realize the amount of time and effort that was put into it. I don't just mean how long it took to actually write the piece. I also mean the hours of reading and research that goes into it. It has become increasingly difficult for writers to get paid a fair wage for their work. Many publications try to get you to write for "exposure" or are embarrassingly untransparent about their rates. With the help of unions, writers have been fighting back. Earlier this year, Pitchfork and Ars Technica announced they were joining the likes of The New Yorker, The Daily Beast, and even The New York Times in unionizing under the NewsGuild of New York. The world of digital journalism is fraught with mass layoffs, discrimination on the basis of race and gender, unfair and unlivable wages, and an incredible lack of diversity. With the help of unions, writers are fighting for their rights as workers and as producers of invaluable entertainment and information. People don't usually think of writers when they think of unions, but they have been invaluable in the journey towards the fair treatment of journalists especially right now. Even though I am not a part of a union at this time, I am forever grateful for the work they are doing to make my field better for the workers who keep it alive. To learn more about the benefits Unions provide to workers and communities, check out @pswpu https://ouruniondifference.com/ Paid for by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees #ad

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