ALT Q: Why can't songwriters unionize? A: Under US labor law, songwriters are independent contractors. That means we are considered small businesses, not employees. Employees can band together and demand better pay from their employer. But if small businesses get together to demand better pay, that can be seen as price fixing, which is against the law. But this makes no sense for songwriters.

ALT In 1947 Congress amended the National Labor Relations Act to exclude independent contractors from the definition of “employee.” Then in 1984, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that composers and lyricists were independent contractors. Neither of these decisions address the realities of being an independent contractor today, much less what it’s like to be in the modern music industry.

ALT For a more in-depth explanation, we recommend this Pitchfork article: https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/why-songwriters-cant-have-their-own-writers-strike-yet/

ALT There is still much work to be done to update the law to protect independent contractors like us. But the first things we need to do: Get informed! Get organized! Join SONA! Become a member of Songwriters of North America now: wearesona.com