Abolish workfare - the Solidarity Federation's guide to the government's unpaid work schemes

Workfare is a term used to describe a range of schemes in which people are forced to work without wages in order to receive their benefits. After recent controversies the government has sought to obscure the nature of its workfare policies; this pamphlet will set out clearly and concisely the details of all the programmes and why we need to work together to oppose them.

If workfare was about getting people jobs, the government might have paid heed to its own research which states: “There is little evidence that workfare increases the likelihood of finding work. It can even reduce employment chances by limiting the time available for job search and by failing to provide the skills and experience valued by employers.”

Download the pdf below.

Glasgow Picket Against Workfare Sat. 31st 12 noon Meet St. Enoch's

start: 
Sat, 31/03/2012 - 12:00

Glasgow Picket Against Workfare

Saturday 31st March

Meet 12 noon outside the front entrance of St Enoch's Underground Station to move on to the Workfare target

Phone 07799285998 if you are late

 

What is workfare?
Unemployed people being forced to work for free for up to 6 months with no guarantee of a job afterwards, many of them for major high street companies.

 

local, network, collective: 
Glasgow
Access Layer: 
Public

Newcastle Workfare Picket

start: 
Sat, 31/03/2012 - 14:00 to 17:00

Location

Holland and Barrett
11 Bigg Market
NE1 1UN Newcastle
United Kingdom
54° 58' 16.2372" N, 1° 36' 52.0956" W
See map: Google Maps
Event organiser: 
West Yorkshire Solidarity Federation

The Solidarity Federation (the UK section of the International Workers Association) is launching days of action
against the governments controversial Workfare scheme.

In Newcastle members of the Solidarity Federation are concentrating on health food chain Holland and Barrett,
who are to benefit hugely from the scheme.

local, network, collective: 
West Yorks
Access Layer: 
Public
URL: 
http://www.facebook.com/westyorkshire.solidarityfederation?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/269157206502016/

Pro-choice protest at Westminster Cathedral

On Sunday 25th March members of the South London Solfed Gender working group, Femcells and others went to church. In response to 40daysforlife harassing women outside abortion clinics, we decided to harass one of their main proponents, Bishop Alan Hopes of Westminster cathedral. The basic message, in chant form, was “Bishop Hopes shame on you, come to us we’ll come to you!”. We won’t let the pro-lifers get away with harassment and intimidation.
 

Read a full report here

Drop-in session - Brighton

start: 
Sun, 29/04/2012 - 10:00 to 13:00

If you're having trouble with the boss or landlord, or just want to find out more about the Solidarity Federation, we're holding a drop-in session this Sunday morning from 10am at the Cowley Club, 12 London Rd, Brighton. Drop in for a coffee and a chat. We are a revolutionary union initiative - we're not legal experts but we can help you find out your rights and suggest direct action tactics to get what you deserve.

local, network, collective: 
Brighton
Access Layer: 
Public

Anti-workfare action - Hastings

start: 
Sat, 31/03/2012 - 11:00 to 14:00

As part of the International Workers' Association days of action, Solidarity Federation Locals across the country will be taking action against workfare on Saturday 31st March. In Hastings, we'll be meeting at Hastings Railway Station at 11am. Target to be confirmed, as firms are pulling out regularly at the moment.

The following Monday (2nd April), there will be a communications blockade (target tba) to keep up the pressure.

 

local, network, collective: 
Brighton
Access Layer: 
Public
URL: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/230977526999890/

Anti-workfare action - Brighton

start: 
Sat, 31/03/2012 - 11:00 to 14:00

As part of the International Workers' Association days of action, Solidarity Federation Locals across the country will be taking action against workfare on Saturday 31st March. In Brighton, we're joining with the Brighton Benefits Campaign. We will be meeting at the Clock Tower on the junction of Queens Rd and North St at 11am. Target to be confirmed, as firms are pulling out regularly at the moment.

The following Monday (2nd April), there will be a communications blockade (target tba) to keep up the pressure.

local, network, collective: 
Brighton
Access Layer: 
Public
URL: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/383880374969967/

Academy workplace issues - a worker's voice

In Jan 2011 my school became an academy, as set out by the government that outstanding schools could become academies. As a staff we were duped into this. There was some consultation with unions, but as previous headships broke the unions in the school with their “divide and rule” regime, consultation was limited. We were sold the lie that we were now free of the thrall of the LEA, HMI inspections and, due to an outstanding status, free from OFTSED inspections for at least 5 years. This has not been the case , in fact being taken from LEA control now subjects us to far more stringent work practices, where union guidelines are not applicable or at the very least are bent to suit the requirements of management. Also being out of LEA control means if the school hits any financial difficulties, it will be teaching staff who suffer.