Seth Eisenberg Elected to Co-Chair National Writers Union At-Large

Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) September 7, 2005

Seth Eisenberg has been elected Organizing Co-Chair of the National Writers Union At-Large chapter. NWU’s membership includes 3,500 freelance writers in 17 U.S. and Canadian chapters. The At-Large chapter represents writers in communities throughout North America. In his new position, Eisenberg will help direct day-to-day activities to organize freelance writers and win greater benefits for members worldwide.

“Freelance writers face significant challenges that threaten our ability to inform the public and practice our craft,” Eisenberg said. A top priority, he said, is to organize writers actively engaged in electronic content development. “A million webmasters, bloggers, online reporters and similar independent providers are building the foundation of global communication, commerce and community. We will help them achieve a higher level of professional security, pursue opportunities for success, and obtain affordable benefits.”

Eisenberg, 44, a Virginia native and longtime Fort Lauderdale resident, began writing for a community newspaper as a high school senior. As chief editor, he went on to build Louisville’s bi-weekly COMMUNITY newspaper into “Best in the Nation.” Later, as a correspondent for Washington Radio and Press Corps, Eisenberg broadcast political news from Capitol Hill to a national audience. A recent article on teaching relationship skills to youth is featured in Brunner-Routledge’s "Building Intimate Relationships: Clinical Applications of the PAIRS Program." As president of Eisenberg Communications, Eisenberg develops training and campaign strategies for small to medium size clients and issue-oriented activism.

“Whether you work in Fort Lauderdale, London, or Baghdad, freedom of the press is frequently threatened from interference that ranges from subtle to audacious.” NWU members, he said, benefit from the security of thousands of members standing together and solidarity with the million member United Auto Workers union under whose umbrella NWU operates.

Eisenberg said key challenges for writers include job security, pay rates, and the rising cost of benefits. “Many of America’s greatest storytellers and journalistic investigators are forced to work in unrelated careers,” Eisenberg said. “Declining pay rates, lack of job security, and skyrocketing benefit costs have driven tens of thousands of writers to other professions.” Eisenberg said NWU campaign goals are to deliver greater job opportunities for members, higher pay rates, and enhanced collective benefits that will help writers succeed. “The challenges are significant,” he said. “We will succeed by recruiting graduating students and talented young professionals, effectively connecting with our most natural allies, and negotiating collective benefits to create a future in which skilled writers have a real opportunity to be successful.”

Other NWU At-Large members elected to national offices are Ron Anisfeld, Co-Chair, Administration, and Robert Henthorn, Financial Secretary. Eleven members, including Eisenberg, Anisfeld, and Henthorn, will serve as delegates to the union’s upcoming bi-annual Delegates Assembly in Baltimore. Other elected delegates are Paul MacArthur (Bloomington, Indiana), Professor Ilan Avisar (Tel Aviv, Israel), Leisa Faulkner (Cameron Park, California), Paul Martin (Farmington, Michigan), Benjamin Schlau (Charleston, South Carolina), George Obikoya (North Battlefo, Canada), Sanford Rosenthal (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), and Jennifer Coates-Conroy (Tacoma, Washington).

About National Writers Union

Established in 1981, the National Writers Union is the only labor union that represents freelance writers in all genres, formats, and media. The group provides member benefits such as grievance assistance, contract advice, a job hotline, health and professional liability insurance.

With the combined strength of 3,500 members in 17 local chapters nationwide, and with the support of the United Automobile Workers (UAW), the NWU works to advance the economic and working conditions of writers worldwide.

More information online at http://www.nwuatlarge.org.

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