Independent work is a cornerstone of innovation and flexibility in the American workforce. Now, a new rule from the Department of Labor (DOL) threatens independent workers, including independent business owners and freelancers. The rule, which reclassifies countless independent workers as employees, went into effect on March 11, 2024. 

The Save Independent Work coalition – of which CABIA is a leading member – launched a campaign to combat this rule. The campaign launched last week, just as Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) introduced a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to stop the implementation of the Department of Labor’s new rule targeted at independent workers. 

The coalition is working to emphasize that reclassifying independent workers against their will has already backfired in California thanks to California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5). The law makes it essentially impossible to operate as an independent business owner or freelancer in California. The fallout from AB5 has been a cautionary tale of disrupted careers, reduced flexibility, and the stifling of entrepreneurial spirit across more than 600 professions.

As members of the business community and advocates for a flexible, dynamic economy, we must unite in this critical moment. The threat to independent work is a threat to innovation, economic freedom, and the livelihoods of millions.

We encourage everyone to visit SaveIndependentWork.org to learn more and to send a letter to their elected officials urging them to pass the resolution to block the DOL’s misguided rule.  

Together, we can overturn the DOL’s ruling and safeguard the future of independent professionals across the nation.

Learn more here.