Musicians Demand Unemployment Benefits in Letter to Congress

Musicians United For Unemployment Benefits calls on Congress to give federal relief to musicians during the cancellations of the gig economy during COVID-19

March 25, 2020

Written by

Cynthia Schemmer

Downtown Boys and members of the No Music For ICE campaign have co-launched Musicians United For Unemployment Benefits, a petition demanding federal relief for independent musicians.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-IBLWJj8bb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in the cancellations of all tours and live events, and gig economy workers are suffering greatly. Musicians, touring workers, DJs ,and other workers are currently ineligible for unemployment, paid sick leave, or other benefits in the US—however, despite paying income tax to the state and federal government, musicians are categorized as self-employed and are unable to receive the same benefits as those with single-employer work.

https://twitter.com/JoeyQuits/status/1242559465150390275

The petition demands that “workers should be able to use any income—including 1099 earnings and demonstrable anticipated future income wiped out by COVID-19—to apply for unemployment and other benefits.”

“A large segment of the US economy has recently shifted to gig economy work. This includes rideshare drivers, journalists, teachers, delivery drivers, tech workers, and more. Yet our current unemployment system is structured to prevent these workers from receiving any benefits. We should have long ago updated our system to serve our changing economy, but the current crisis makes it absolutely essential that we do so right now.”
Musicians United For Unemployment Benefits

As of this morning, the petition has over 400 signatures—including Speedy Ortiz/SAD13, Vagabon, Mirah, and Hurray For The Riff Raff—and will be sent to the US House, Senate, and all US state governments.

Sign Musicians United For Unemployment Benefits and let the government know that the gig economy needs relief now!

We need to support and pay our gig workers for time lost due to coronavirus
Comment by Abigail Todras on March 25, 2020 at 8:00 pm
Gig workers need help!!
Comment by Julie Clark on March 26, 2020 at 12:47 am
asdcring the article, and more importantly, your personal experienceMindfully using our emotions as data about our inner state and know https://shareit.onl/ ing when it’s better to de-escalate by taking a time out are great tools. Appreciate you reading and sharing your story, since I can certainly relate and I think others can too
Comment by Milemith on February 22, 2021 at 9:53 pm
The despite paying income tax to the state and federal government!
solitaire spider
Comment by Kamw on August 9, 2021 at 1:23 am
Our gig workers need our assistance, and we need to make up for the time they lost due to the coronavirus.
Comment by duotrigordle on April 19, 2023 at 3:06 am
would like to say that this blog really convinced me to do it! Thanks, very good post.
Comment by Word games on June 19, 2023 at 9:48 pm