Today is International Workers’ Day! Let’s celebrate the achievements of workers across the globe to defend our rights and ensure better labour conditions for everybody.

The origin of this holiday can be traced back to union movements. In particular, to those that fought to establish eight hours as the maximum time alloted to work in a single day. Nowadays, this parameter sounds like a given. However, it wasn’t legally established until the beginning of the 20th century —except for Spain, which has had laws regulating the work day since 1593!— and it was all thanks to the activity of unions in countries like Australia, the USA and France.

Now, if you work in the music industry, there’s a very high chance that you work more than eight hours a day. According to Black Lives in Music, 71% of us are freelancers. This means no fixed schedule, but also less protection in all fronts for us and our finances. Freelancing in the UK (and many other countries) is insufficiently regulated, giving room to exploitation, intimidation and abuse. It’s easy to feel that you’re alone against the world, that you have no chance but to accept meagre payments, unreasonable demands, empty promises and client calls at 2:00 am. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

There are a number of organisations who campaign for musicians’ rights and support us in areas like health, training and policy. One of them is the Musicians’ Union. For just £1,00, you can join and have six months of access to:

• Insurance to protect yourself, your gear and people or property you may become liable for.
• Legal and tax experts advice to make safe contracts, pay only what you’re due and establish clearer partnerships.
• Assistance to get fair pay, including union representation in your workplace, unpaid feeds recovery and rectification of royalties.
• Professional development opportunities, career advice and networking.
• Health services focused in the needs of musicians, including hearing protection and mental health.
• A platform to make your ideas and concerns heard through committees, policy making groups, and community involvement.
• Campaigns for a fairer music industry. The MU lobbies for better work conditions, the preservation of important organisations and the regulation of the digital industry.

I was part of the executive committee of the MU and also of the regional committee of the West Midlands. I can attest first hand how beneficial the work of the union is for musicians in the UK. Regardless of your role in the industry, if you work in music, I encourage you to join the MU. You can take the first step clicking here.