Public | Solidarity Federation

Workfare Picket (Wakefield)

start:

Sat, 31/03/2012 - 11:30 to 14:30

Location

The Bullring

Bullring

WF1 1HB WAKEFIELD

United Kingdom

53° 41' 0.0564" N, 1° 29' 55.518" W

See map: Google Maps

Event organiser:

West Yorkshire Solidarity Federation

iconimage:

As part of the IWA days of action against austerity WYSF will be picketing a workfare company in Wakefield as it also happens to be the National Anti Workfare day. We are awaiting confirmation of the target as many firms are dropping out but we think it will be poundland.

local, network, collective:

West Yorks

Access Layer:

Public

URL:

http://www.facebook.com/events/375229062510069/

Boycott Workfare (Northampton)

start:

Sat, 31/03/2012 - 11:00

Location

Cobblers' Last

Abington St

Northampton

See map: Google Maps

iconimage:

local, network, collective:

Northampton

Access Layer:

Public

Sector-Based Work Academies - subsidising business with unpaid labour

Sector-Based Work Academies (SBWA) combine work experience-style placements with a short job-related training components. Launched in August 2011 SBWA are one of the Government’s 5 workfare-centred labour reform schemes in which unemployed people are compelled to perform unpaid work for private companies.

'Work Experience' - the thin end of the wedge

The Work Experience scheme offered through the Jobcentre Plus (JCP) is one the five workfare schemes that are currently running in the UK. Recently this has become the best known of the workfare schemes thanks to the government’s damage limitation efforts after the negative publicity surrounding its policy of making people work without wages.

The Community Action Programme - replacing jobs with unpaid labour

A new compulsory work scheme for the long-term unemployed was announced by the government in November 2011. The Community Action Programme (CAP) is currently being trialled (or ‘trailblazed’, in the government’s terminology) in four regions with the intention to implement the scheme nationally in 2013.

The CAP will be organised through private companies and in many ways resembles the Work Programme but with a greater focus on community work. Participation in the scheme is mandatory – refusal to take part will result in loss of benefits. Placements last six months at 30 hours a week of work with an additional 10 hours of job search under the supervision of the provider (source).

EW Issue 8: Academy Special

The latest issue of Education Worker, the EWN's bulletin is out, with an Academies Special! We lift the lid on what's happening in schools and academies in particular: what they are, what they do, why they are a problem and what should be done about it. EW#8 can be downloaded from the site, or ask your nearest SolFed local.

Fighting Workfare At Royal Mail

Most people will have heard about the CWU leadership endorsing the Royal Mail's participation in the workfare scheme, whilst at the same time ignoring rank and file members views on forced labour and attacks on workers rights.

Concerned posties from SOLFED, IWW, Boycott Workfare, and CWU send you the following call out, and request for solidarity.

See you on the picket!

Solent Solfed

NO TO WORKFARE AT ROYAL MAIL- APRIL 2ND 11am

Open Letter to all members of the Communication Workers Union, (CWU)

Day of action against workfare - Liverpool

start:

Sat, 31/03/2012 - 13:00

Location

Picton Clock Tower

Junction of Childwall Road, Church Road North and the High Street

L15 6DL Wavertree, Liverpool

United Kingdom

53° 23' 52.5336" N, 2° 54' 57.6504" W

See map: Google Maps

Event organiser:

Liverpool Solidarity Federation

iconimage:

The International Workers Association has called days of action against austerity, exploitation, and oppression on 29, 30 and 31 March. As part of this, on Saturday 31 March, Solidarity Federation locals will be taking action against workfare.

Following on from the succesful day of action initiated by Liverpool Uncut on 3 March, our aim is to spread the action beyond the City Centre and get claimants and local communities more involved.

local, network, collective:

Liverpool

Access Layer:

Public

URL:

https://www.facebook.com/events/318240141568724/

Stop the North West Infidels: Bolton, 24 March

The North West Infidels (NWI), a splinter group from the English Defence League, are holding a demonstration in Bolton on Saturday 24 March. Liverpool Antifascists is calling on all anti-fascists, anti-racists and organised workers to mobilise in opposition to the presence of these fascists on our streets.

This demonstration comes in the wake of a number of incidents which show that the far-right is aiming to re-assert itself as a physical force on the streets. The British National Party’s electoral support is hemorrhaging thanks to internal splits, whilst the EDL is viewed as just not radical and racist enough for hardcore supporters, allowing the NWI to gain prominence with disillusioned far right activists.

Ryanair Don't Care campaign picket of Liverpool John Lennon Airport

To round off our week of action against Ryanair, Liverpool Solidarity Federation and Ryanair Don't Care campaigner John Foley today picketed Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Though not quite the spectacle that the previous day had been, it was succesful in getting across the key message: end the Ryanair recruitment scam!

We pitched up outside Departures at around twelve o'clock, with banners and signs, and began distributing leaflets to people as they came and went from the airport. This quickly attracted the attention of the police, though this time they felt no need to bring in horses and we were allowed to carry on our picket without interruption.