Stating you are "seasoned editor" at 18 years, guess this puts me in the higher-ups at my 33+

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it changes every day -  up, up, and away!

other than her little account update. She will NOT respond to an email (nothing in writing) to any questions at all -- she picks up the phone and calls.  I have sent her several emails with concerns -- NO RESPONSE -- but my phone will ring at home -- I guess I will start recording my phone conversations with her !!!

I have asked for a LONG TIME about my account "going bye bye", and because the work was no longer there. Only this week did she say that it had gone to VR -- she would not put that in writing, or even hint that the account was going by the way, and believe me, I have asked her where the work has gone. When you have been on an account for a long time, an MT knows when the works "dries up." Doesn't she?

So basically, the supe's responsibilities are to email account updates 2 or 3 times a day, beg for the MT to take on ANOTHER new account that she has been handed down to her team (to slow the MT down), beg for the MT to work WHEN SHE NEEDS YOU (not when you were scheduled to work -- because the overseas MT's was not going to work that day and she needs you, or ASR equipment was down), be team cheerleader in an email occasionally when you have made HER look good, take care of the little kids they have at home with them. That pretty well describes the supe on my team.

If the company is advertising for "shifts" meaning 7 a to 3 p, then that is an employee that they need, not an IC. 

ICs choose their own hours; yes they do.  Anything dictated by an MTSO for shifts meaning the MT must be accountable for those hours equals EMPLOYEE, not IC.

The OP is absolutely correct.  These MTSOs take advantage by instituting a shift or schedule.  As an employee, that's great.  The reason behind the MTSO doing this is that they feel they can just not hire the employees which cost more money and get away with not paying the taxes.  So many MTs fall for this scheme. 

This is the whole reason you see posts about companies that hire ICs and then ICs are on here complaining of no/low work and there is nothing they can do about it. 

Such a shame not all of us are smart enough to see this racket, which is what it is a "racket."

Kudos to MTSOs who hire employees.  Bah Humbug to MTSOs who hire ICs and then dictate the hours or shifts to that IC.  When in fact an IC equals self-employed which means I make my own hours. 

They may or may not decide to keep you.  You don't really "ask" as an IC.  You "state" as an IC.  You will risk them finding cheaper services.  So, you need to ask yourself if it is worth losing the account for a few more cents per line.  The only other thing you could do is attach an "administrative fee" to each bill and let them know it is for tasks not related to the actual production; this would be a little raise.

The bottom line is that raises are nonexistent as an IC.  Normally what quote you've given them in the start of the work is what they expect to pay or they'll find someone cheaper like an offshore company.  I wouldn't stir the waters if I was you, but that's just me. 

I tried to barter with one account over a raise and the doctor met me halfway.  I was being paid per page.  I had to drop him though because once I raised the rate, he quit paying me on time.  I guess I was last on the list.  He switched to me doing handwritten note dictation (no dictation).  It was hard on the neck and eyes, so I quit.

wide open and landing accounts with no contacts was an easy thing to do, I'd tell the OP to go for it and good luck.  But I know from experience what is true.  I have plenty of accounts and ALL of them came my way via connections.  First I worked as an MT in a hospital for many years and I left there to start my own business and from my hospital connections accounts came my way.  Then my clients referred accounts to me.  Not one of my clients has come from advertising or cold calling or sending letters of introduction or flyers.  Not one.