Rafael Espinal Executive Director

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Rafael Espinal became New York’s youngest elected official at age 26 when he was elected to the State Assembly in 2011. He later served as a member of the New York City Council before becoming the Executive Director of Freelancers Union.

The son of Dominican immigrants who were both full time labor union members and moonlighting as creative freelancers, Rafael grew up with a deep understanding of the value of the labor movement and the challenges of independent work. Those values guided his career advocating for workers, small businesses, artists, low-income communities, and the environment.

The New York Times recognized his career, writing, “In a 51-member body, Mr. Espinal has been a standout.” On the Council, he championed transformative initiatives to uplift underserved communities, securing historic funding for affordable housing development in Brooklyn and leading efforts to create good paying jobs and make infrastructure investments to combat climate injustice. He also negotiated a $250 million comprehensive investment plan for his district, one of New York City’s most underserved areas.

Espinal was also a strong voice for workers’ rights, co-sponsoring the landmark Freelance Isn’t Free Act in 2016, the first law of its kind to protect freelancers from nonpayment. As Chair of the Committee on Consumer Affairs, he supported the Paid Sick Leave Law and introduced the nation’s first Right to Disconnect Bill in 2019, ensuring employees could unplug from work communications after business hours without fear of retaliation.

His commitment to creative workers also led him to repeal New York City’s outdated Cabaret Law, paving the way for the creation of the Office of Nightlife and earning him recognition as Time Out Magazine’s New Yorker of the Year in 2017.

In March 2020, just two weeks before the COVID-19 shutdowns, Rafael became Executive Director of Freelancers Union, stepping into leadership at a moment of unprecedented uncertainty for independent workers. Drawing from his legislative experience, he worked with Senator Chuck Schumer, to ensure freelancers, self-employed workers, and artists were included in federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Recognizing the immediate need for relief, he created the Freelance Relief Fund, partnering with Senator Bernie Sanders and corporate sponsors, which provided direct cash aid to thousands of freelancers who lost income due to the pandemic.

Under his leadership, Freelancers Union has expanded its reach and impact nationwide. Rafael led efforts to extend the Freelance Isn’t Free Law beyond New York City to New York State, Illinois, and California, securing payment protections for tens of thousands of workers. He also partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment to relaunch the Freelancers Hub, a free coworking and resource space in Industry City, Brooklyn, offering freelancers community, education, and access to essential tools for their careers.

Today, Rafael continues to build a more equitable future for the nation’s 60 million independent workers, championing fair pay, access to benefits, and a modernized social safety net that reflects the realities of the 21st-century economy. As the third leader of Freelancers Union since its founding in 1995, he remains committed to amplifying the voices of freelancers and advancing policies that ensure independent workers are recognized, respected, and protected.