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Post by michele cryer on Sept 20, 2004 22:07:51 GMT
I took part in a very interesting discussion tonight, about the plight of the 'casual labourers' amongst us..the homeworkers, the casual staff employed for only short periods of time by agencies, then moved on to other companies.
These people are lacking any social contact, stability or self esteem because of the position that their employers and the 'temping' agencies have placed them in.
It is important in society that there is unity, not only at home and in leisure circles but also in the workplace. Trade Union membership used to bring about a certain amount of unity amongst the workforce and also provided Sports and Social Clubs so that the workforce would be socially catered for too..Christmas parties/pantos for children, day trips etc. There was a sense of belonging. Also, workers rights were protected, and before Margaret Thatcher laid into them there was strong support for trade unions. Homeworkers and casual staff are not able to belong to Trade unions but they still need our support...how can we provide this in our communities? How can we 'name and shame' the multinationals who are exploiting their casual staff? How can we build UNITY in our community again?
These issues may not affect us all directly, but there is an increase in the amount of casual staff and homeworkers and there are lots of people working on the 'fringe' of society...please use this space to discuss these issues and how you would like to see us rebuild our community.
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Post by Steve on Sept 21, 2004 11:01:12 GMT
Casualisation is an issue that is effecting more and more workers. Casual workers are often paid lower wages and lose out on sick pay and holiday entitlement. They also suffer from Health & Safety issues as sometimes they do not receive adequate training. Those in full time employment also suffer through pressure on their working conditions and wages.
We need to stand together to ensure that casual and temporary workers are afforded the full rights of full time staff. The Solidarity Federation has been involved in anti-casualisation campaigns for several years both in this country and, through the IWA, internationally. It may not be as glamorous and as immediate as other campaigns but it is vital if we are to prevent the erosion of what rights we do still have as workers.
In Bristol there is an anti-casualisation group that has done some good work. There is an attempt to establish one in Manchester as well. If anyone is interested in any Lancashire wide action then you can contact Preston SolFed at prestonsolfed@hotmail.com or me directly.
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Post by michele cryer on Sept 21, 2004 13:56:03 GMT
Thank you Steve...it would be interesting to see how many of us could get together via Lancashire Solfed and work towards getting these better standards for employees.
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Post by Bryan on Nov 13, 2004 11:07:55 GMT
This is something which the Manchester electricians are involved in: it may be worth a look; members of the Manchester Social Forum are going and the R&F builders bulletin will be on sale.
BOLTON TRADE UNION COUNCIL
REBUILDING THE UNIONS
Bolton Socialist Club, Wood St., Bolton.
Wednesday 17th, November
7:30 - 9:00pm
Speakers: Billy Hayes (Gen. Sec)
Communication Workers Union.
DAF Electricians from Manchester.
NUJ - Manchester Evening News dispute.
Liverpool Social Workers' dispute.
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Post by Steve on Jan 4, 2005 19:18:26 GMT
At the IWA Congress in December the motion to take action against temporary work agencies was passed and expanded to campaign against casualisation in general. This is to be undertaken by sections between 11 April to 1 May, 2005.
The SolFed Conference is coming up in April and Manchester have put forward a motion for a commitment to building a national anti-casualisation campaign. We in Preston will be discussing this next week with a view to writing something in support for our Internal Bulletin and I was just wondering if anyone had any practical ideas they would like to share.
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Post by Mitch on Jan 5, 2005 15:07:01 GMT
At the IWA Congress in December the motion to take action against temporary work agencies was passed and expanded to campaign against casualisation in general. This is to be undertaken by sections between 11 April to 1 May, 2005. The SolFed Conference is coming up in April and Manchester have put forward a motion for a commitment to building a national anti-casualisation campaign. We in Preston will be discussing this next week with a view to writing something in support for our Internal Bulletin and I was just wondering if anyone had any practical ideas they would like to share. Welcome news indeed - a co-ordinated, hard hitting campaign. Practical ideas: Targetting of temping agencies in particular regions where casual work highest, eg. Burnley Coming together of Solfed sections across North West to support planned targets. North West anti-casualisation newsletter - facts/figures/stories from temp workers. Anti-casualisation web forum (initiated by Solfed) involving sharing of strategies/tactics across the country. Strong direct action outside temping agencies. Action inside temping agencies - getting diaries and stories from temp workers who really know what's going on to include in newsletters/web forum. Naming and shaming of unscrupulous employers - strong co-ordinated direct action outside these workplaces. Involvement of community groups - but with clarity on anarchist platform from which this campaign comes. There can be no working within the system aka TUC, current unions which are totally useless in Burnley. On launch - analysis of strategies and tactics that are already working, and from which we can learn - for example the Bristol Group. No doubt I will think of a few more - and would welcome being involved. |
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Post by Steve on Jan 6, 2005 16:08:16 GMT
Thanks for that. A website/web forum may be a good idea but I must admit I've become disenchanted with web forums of late (with the exception of this one of course  ) The newsletter is something we should definately do. As for the coming together of SF sections in the North West that's easy! Only two of us!  (although maybe some stirrings in Bolton?) |
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Post by Mitch on Jan 6, 2005 17:52:59 GMT
Web forums I think need to be advertised in certain places to reach out to local people. No good just keeping it all web based. What might be better is a website specific to anti-casualisation with sections on loopholes in legisation, top temping agencies targeted and various other sections which set the scene - then a web forum linked to the website. I think the web is a useful tool for linking in scattered local activity.
We haven't even begun to push this forum out to the local community yet through leaflets and so forth, and that is for the future. Always people behind these tools.
I think many web forums have lost their way - but I think the idea is still good, and that the web is a space where people like casual workers can be visible - can have a voice. It could be a useful tool to begin to break isolation which is a big factor with this kind of work.
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Post by Steve on Feb 8, 2005 12:58:53 GMT
The first steps towards a North West Campaign around working conditions, low wages and benefits have been made. Anyone who wants to get involved should contact prestonsolfed@boltblue.comAnti-casualisation meeting Nelson 5th February Attended Tony, Ron, Bill, John, Ann-Marie, Tracey, Steve Just to remind everyone We decided the best thing to do at present was to produce leaflets that wouldn’t date with advice on them. One on bullying is already being done by Ann-Marie. Two more on benefits/low pay advice and another on workplace conditions especially ‘flexible working’. We discussed making links between benefits and low pay/temporary contracts also with disabled workers and homeworkers. Some people would find themselves in one or more of the categories at various times. Attacks on benefits linked to minimum wage and forcing people into low paid employment. Actions Stalls in towns Leafleting shops Eventually to build up to more direct action against certain employers/agencies. It was felt we needed a different name for the campaign as people didn’t know what anti-casualisation means. (Ann-Marie has suggested the North West Wages, Benefits & Working Conditions Campaign) Another meeting to be arranged (Preston?) in March after we sort out the DA Quark training. |
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Post by michele cryer on Feb 8, 2005 20:08:47 GMT
Thank you Steve...It sounds as if the meeting on Saturday was a great success, and you seem to have thought out some very good ways of getting the campaign off the planning table and into the workplace!! Well done. Apologies for my non-attendance at the meeting...new pc being installed, and apologies for Mitch's non-attendance due to a nasty 'flu virus!!! We will be backing you all the way...  |
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(although maybe some stirrings in Bolton?)