With self-employed workers unlikely to take industrial action, the new platform is steering clear of the traditional role of a trade union. Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, a champion of the project, said she hoped it would act as a gateway for promoting trade union membership among the 15% of her north-east London constituency who are now self-employed. Hooper said small businesses and freelancers in the UK were currently £26bn out of pocket because of late payments. “We could end late payments, we have got the solution to do it. Rosslyn Postlewaite, a freelance illustrator who attended the Walthamstow launch, said self-employed workers could feel vulnerable liaising with difficult clients.

Source: The Guardian August 05, 2017 06:56 UTC