I write a lot about The Social Age, our interconnectedness and our interdependence. Strangely, I work alone. Sure, I meet with clients and spend countless hours on conference calls, but at the end of the day, I work alone. There are huge benefits to being an independent consultant, or “freelancer”. You can work in your pajamas, you don’t have to ask the boss for the day off and you can choose to work at 3am if you want to.

There are challenges too. Particularly when it comes to the benefits of being part of a group. I have individual health insurance, as do most of my independently employed friends and colleagues. And let me tell you, it costs a fortune! Forget about finding disability insurance, dental or other group benefits.

The Freelancers Union is working to address this issue, by forming a “collective” that allows freelance workers to enjoy the benefits of belonging to a group, without giving up their independence.

Sadly, health insurance isn’t offered in my state yet (Massachusetts), but I’ll keep an eye on it. It could save me boat loads of money.

The Freelancers Union is perhaps slightly mis-named. They don’t collectively bargain, so striking isn’t a reality. But the idea of a collective — very Social Age I might admit — not only benefits workers, but enables them to truly feel a part of a larger whole.

I think I’m going to join. That is, if they’ll have me. Check it out at The Freelancers Union.