It is not all bad with labels also handling publishing. The label does need a separate publishing division, be members of the relevant songwriter rights organisation (BMI, ASCAP, etc) and have the means to manage and promote the songs - which have a life of their own for around 50 ~ 70 years depending on the national market. Seek a deal that has 65% or greater of the gross income for the songwriter regardless of the legal costs, or ensure the publisher wears the legal cost out of its share. Finally, have a contract clause that requires some results or termination - because no publisher should just sit back and wait for the dollars to come,they need to manage and promote the songs to earn the money - otherwise they are not a true publisher, just a scam pretender. And yes I am with an Indie label and publisher and we all work hard as a team - songwriter, publisher, performer, label, etc