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Workfare

Protests and campaigns against the governments compulsory labour scheme.

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Day of action against Workfare and Starbucks

12-12-2012 00:35

Saturday 8th December saw two separate days of action happening across the country. The first was the start of a week of action against the governments Workfare scheme. Workfare replaces jobs and undermines wages, this can be seen by Superdrug in Brighton not hiring any Christmas temps because they have free labour from the job centre. The Work Programme actually reduces your chances of finding a job, whilst the Mandatory Work Activity has had no effect on unemployment levels. Since 3rd December, disabled people can now be sent on time unlimited workfare placements. If they say no, their benefits will be cut to £28/week indefinitely. Unemployed people who refuse can have their job seekers allowance cut for up to 3 years.

The second day of action was against Starbucks tax avoidance. Starbucks have not paid any corporation tax in the past 3 years, and only £8.6m in the 14 years they’ve been trading in this country. Costa Coffee, whose turnover last year was £377m, just £21m less than Starbucks paid £15m in corporation tax.

On the newswire: Workfare’s Christmas Bonus For The Bosses | 100 people at #Sheffield @ukuncut #Starbucks Action | UK Uncut protest against tax dodgers Starbucks | Anti-Austerity Protest, Manchester Report and Pics | small determined workfare demo in holloway, london yesterday | islington starbucks ukuncut actions yesterday - report & pics 1 of 2 | islington starbucks ukuncut actions yesterday - report & pics 2 of 2 | Bath Anti-Starbucks Demo | Boycott Workfare day of action | Anti-Workfare Pickets Glasgow Report | Boycott Workfare Video | Starbucks action in Cambridge by UK Uncut

Previous Features: Workfare: Enslave us and we'll shut you down!

Links: Boycott Workfare | UK Uncut

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October 20th Anti-Austerity Demonstration

24-10-2012 11:07

mcdonalds closure

Saturday’s October 20th "March for a future that works" demonstration organised by the TUC saw over 150,000 out on the streets of London to protest the government's cuts and austerity measures. It's been almost a year since the TUC leadership tried to look like they were actively opposing the cuts and well over a year since the last big demo. The organisers sent out a somewhat mixed message by first calling for a general strike but then allowing Ed Miliband a platform to announce he'll carry on cutting where the Tories leave off if elected.

The demonstration also saw hundreds of black bloc and Boycott Workfare activists target Oxford Street stores that use workfare and tax avoidance, whilst DPAC activists successfully blockaded Park Lane.

On the Newswire: October 20: The view from Oxford Circus | #Oct20 150,000 on TUC demo PHOTOS | unions cuts march and london anti-workfare actions - pics & report | Oct20: we got work to do ... | March For A Future That Works

Previous Features: SchNEWS: One Strike and You're Out? | "You Can Shove Your Rubber Bullets Up Your Arse!": 'Total Policing' of N9 Demos | Anti-cuts protesters take over London | March 26th - All out against the cuts

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Workfare: Enslave us and we'll shut you down!

05-03-2012 12:23

Photo: Oxford Street by rikkiindymedia(At)gmail[dot]com

Protests took place outside stores across Britain on 3rd March 2012 as campaigners stepped up their opposition to the ConDem workfare slavery scheme, (started under Labour,) by taking the online campaigns, which have resulted in many firms pulling out, onto the streets .

In Edinburgh two Tescos were 'invaded' and pickets were mounted outside a Poundland and British Heart Foundation store. The Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty delivered a letter to the BHF store insisting “that BHF withdraws completely from the Work Programme and all workfare schemes”

Bristol cops arrested two protestors at a picket of a McDonalds, and a solidarity action was held outside Trinity Road cop-shop later in the day. In Birmingham about 50 campaigners stopped off at Sainsburies and Superdrug to congratulate them on pulling out the scheme, whilst pickets were held at Poundland and McDonalds. In Sheffield campaigners who were chucked out of a Tesco on West Street, continued their tour with visits to stores which included Marks and Spencers, McDonalds and Primark. Nottingham campaigners picketed Wilkinsons before moving on to other stores

In Lewisham, McDonalds, Boots, Greggs, BHS and Primark werre targeted by a group of about 30, whilst Oxford Street saw a few dozen campaigners target outlets including McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Holiday Inn in a game of cat and mouse awith the police. On Friday Ian Duncan-Smith was challenged by protestors as he arrived at a conference in Tottenham. He insisted that "workfare is a brilliant scheme".

[Read more.]

Newswire: Workfare conference cancelled due to protest | Workfare Unravels | 'It's exploitation and it's repellent' | Tesco’s Secret Workfare Slaves | Demo shuts Westminster Tesco | GMB Union Promotes Workfare as Answer | DWP Locks Down FOI Responses | Legal Challenge to Government’s slave labour scheme

Links: Boycott Workfare | Asda and Argos choose workfare over work | The Homelessness Charities Involved | Anti-workfare action in Brighton | Create Jobs – Scrap Workfare | Edinburgh Tescos invaded |

XML UK Workfare Feature Archive

Text The Fifth International
20-10-2015 14:58 | 4 comments

Image March on Streatham Jobcentre June 26th
10-06-2015 19:06 | 3 comments

Image FCUM Bans Workfare
29-04-2015 08:19 | 1 comment

Image Report of Radical Independence Campaign Conference
20-03-2015 17:50 | 1 comment

Text When will the ITUC investigate one of its "own"?
10-02-2015 12:17

Text Growing concern over the International Trade Union Confederation
26-01-2015 15:41 | 1 comment

Audio UG#696 - The Morality Play of Austerity (Bailing out The Shipwrecked Plutocracy)
29-11-2014 20:46

Text Whatever happened to the unemployed organising themselves?
03-08-2014 23:50 | 2 comments

Image May Day march and rally in Edinburgh
03-05-2014 23:15 | 4 comments

Image The @SalvationArmy Must quit #Workfare
04-04-2014 23:54

Image Stop Workfare In Its Tracks – Join The Week Of Action 29 March – 6 April 2014
05-03-2014 12:52

Image Boycott Workfare Welfare Action Gathering
18-02-2014 11:25

Text Day 1: Take Online Action Against The Workfare Conference Monday 2nd Decembe
01-12-2013 23:29

Text Week of Action to Stop Workfare and Sanctions Beginning 2nd December
30-11-2013 17:20

Text British Labour Camps set up by the 1929 Labour Government VIDEO
26-11-2013 14:31

Image Civil Disobedience Day
05-11-2013 18:28 | 3 comments

Image Jobcentre anger and bans. What a mess.
26-09-2013 18:50 | 4 comments

Image #OpSleepOut Brighton protest - report and pics
24-08-2013 17:59

Image Jobcentre Plus week of action: 5-9 August
29-07-2013 21:00

Image Awesome workfare picket as part of Boycott Workfare’s Week of Action
13-07-2013 18:54 | 1 comment

Image Glasgow's Walk-of-Shame.
12-07-2013 12:55

Image Demonstrators besiege Leith Job Centre – police manhandle protestors out of building
12-07-2013 10:55

Text Boycott workfare Brent
12-07-2013 09:44

Image Marks & Spencer Bombarded With Boycott Threats over #workfare boasts
05-07-2013 10:30

Text Fight workfare - Sheffield, Brighton, Glasgow, London and everywhere!
04-07-2013 13:53

Image How to Avoid Workfare
02-07-2013 05:45

Text David Rovics to play at a venue in Brum that uses Workfare!
07-06-2013 09:00

Text Sheffield Workfare Protest, June 1st
20-05-2013 21:29

Image Photo from the Anti-Workfare Walk Of Shame Glasgow Monday May 6th
07-05-2013 23:12

Image Anti-Workfare Walk Of Shame Glasgow Mon. 6th May 12 noon
28-04-2013 21:34 | 2 comments

Text Sheffield workfare protest, Saturday May 4th
27-04-2013 15:18

Text #OperationPaperwork
29-03-2013 14:43 | 1 comment

Image Boycott Workfare Glasgow 23rd March Photos
23-03-2013 17:14

Image Boycott Workfare @ Poundland Glasgow Saturday 23rd March 11am
21-03-2013 21:10

Text JSA & ESA South London Claimants Union
21-03-2013 13:32 | 1 comment

Image Boycott Workfare @ British Heart Foundation Update Glasgow Sat. 23rd March 11am
18-03-2013 20:24

Image Boycott Workfare @ Superdrug Glasgow Sat. 23rd March 11am
18-03-2013 20:08 | 1 comment

Image Jobseekers & ESA Workshop this Wednesday 4pm @ Eileen House
18-03-2013 19:29

Text Sheffield action against library closures and workfare, 23rd March
18-03-2013 12:59

Text Its The End Of Workfare As We Know It, and I Feel Fine
01-03-2013 20:21

Text PDSA withdraws from workfare
20-02-2013 17:52 | 4 comments

Text Even A4E Tutor thinks Workfare is wrong
17-02-2013 17:49

Text Protests held against Workfare in Norwich,Norfolk.
16-02-2013 19:44

Image It’s Official: UK Government’s Workfare Programme is Illegal Forced Labour
12-02-2013 14:01 | 3 comments

Text Workfare picket in Peckham on Saturday 16th
09-02-2013 12:00

Image Folk The System!!! Robb Johnson,Cosmo and Ukelele anarcho-Dave 26 January
03-01-2013 03:55

Text The Westcountry Mutineer #3 Out Now!
24-12-2012 17:45

Text The Conservation ‘Volunteers’ Who Are Forced To Work Unpaid
14-12-2012 11:35 | 1 comment

Video Boycott Workfare Video
11-12-2012 13:47

Text Anti-Workfare Pickets Glasgow Report
10-12-2012 20:31

Text Boycott Workfare day of action
10-12-2012 18:28

Image small determined workfare demo in holloway, london yesterday
09-12-2012 12:17

Image Workfare’s Christmas Bonus For The Bosses
08-12-2012 21:55

Text Anti-Workfare Superdrug Picket Glasgow 11 a.m. Sat. 8th Dec. + 2 more
03-12-2012 19:23

Image Anti-Workfare Picket Superdrug Glasgow Sat. 8th Dec. 11.30 a.m.
28-11-2012 23:15 | 1 addition

Image Week of Action against workfare 8th Dec – Charities stop exploiting ...
28-11-2012 19:04 | 4 comments

Image Workfare’s Christmas Bonus For The Bosses – Demonstrate, 8th December
26-11-2012 20:53

Image British Heart Foundation May Be Withdrawing From Workfare
12-11-2012 18:14 | 1 comment

Text A good finale for 2012, a reason for joy in dismal times
10-11-2012 15:46

Image October 20: The view from Oxford Circus
22-10-2012 14:52 | 3 comments

Text Spirit of revolt is alive in London
21-10-2012 10:41 | 9 comments

Text support john bowden
14-10-2012 15:44

Text For a Future Without Work: Radical Workers' Bloc on South London feeder to TUC
06-10-2012 12:16 | 9 comments

Text Ruin the LibDems' Weekend: Shut Down Workfare in Brighton - Sat 22nd September
14-09-2012 11:00

Image Report and Photos From Today’s DPAC Demonstration in Birmingham
28-08-2012 22:39

Text Worldwide Declaration in support of the Zapatistas
24-08-2012 15:48

Text Boycott Workfare disrupt corporate workfare conference in Birmingham
10-07-2012 15:21 | 3 additions

Audio PCS union votes to fund anti-cuts candidates at the next general election
09-07-2012 18:52

Text STOP WORKFARE UPDATE – NEW TARGET: WHSMITHS IN BATH!
06-07-2012 13:05

Text Brighton protests against workfare as part of the week of action
06-07-2012 09:20

Text Making Welfare Work - One Day Conference July 10th
27-06-2012 18:35

Audio G4S security undercover: London Olympics is wide open to terror or false flag
22-06-2012 20:50 | 23 comments

Text radio Kebele JUNE show
21-06-2012 22:49

Audio 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' farce: the Brooks/Cameron texts we didn't see
16-06-2012 14:10 | 2 comments

Text Liverpool Workfare Walk of Shame Occupies City Centre Exploiters
02-05-2012 16:14

Text Mayday Workfare Demos Shut Ox St. Stores - report
01-05-2012 18:55

Image Rights not Charity! - Protest brings traffic to a standstill
19-04-2012 07:02

Audio UG#585 - Institutionalizing Wage Slavery (Plutocracy, Money and Society)
10-04-2012 17:28

Image London Mayday 2012 - Against Workfare
09-04-2012 16:10 | 3 comments

Text Workfare Actions Around Birmingham in April
03-04-2012 18:20

Text Kings Heath Walk of Shame (workfare)
02-04-2012 16:55

Text No Workfare at Royal Mail- April 2nd
28-03-2012 14:49

Text March 31st Anti-Workfare Actions
18-03-2012 23:32 | 7 comments

Text Swp hijack's workfare protest newcastle
12-03-2012 03:54 | 9 comments

Text Workfare Walk of Shame
09-03-2012 11:20

Image March against “slave labour” targets big employers still backing ‘workfare’ after government U-turn
04-03-2012 08:46

Image Sheffield Workfare Protest
03-03-2012 23:23

Text oxford street workfare protests this morning
03-03-2012 20:55

Image Boycott Workfare Demonstration Report
03-03-2012 20:53 | 2 comments

Text Solidarity Demo with 2 arrested at workfare demo
03-03-2012 18:55

Text Weekend of Online Action Against Workfare - Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th March
02-03-2012 14:08

Text Day Of Action Against Workfare: Saturday 3rd March
01-03-2012 10:55

Text DWP Locks Down Freedom of Information Responses to Hide Workfare Lies
29-02-2012 18:02

Text UK-wide day of action against workfare – Saturday 3rd March
18-02-2012 22:49

Text Workfare demo shuts Westminster Tesco
18-02-2012 12:55

Text Boycott Workfare National Day of Action, 3rd March, Poundland Picket
18-02-2012 10:16

Text Tesco’s Secret Workfare Slaves
16-02-2012 17:05 | 7 comments

Text Boycott Workfare meeting in Kings Heath, 7th March
12-02-2012 15:44 | 4 comments

Text Why We’re Supporting Boycott Workfare Campaign In Birmingham
20-01-2012 16:59

Image Workfare to be challenged in the courts.
26-11-2011 13:49

Image Legal Challenge to Government’s slave labour scheme
18-11-2011 03:07 | 6 comments

Text Workfare: Modern Slavery?
08-10-2011 22:55

Text Take action against companies profiting from workfare!
06-10-2011 10:12 | 3 comments

Text Benefiting from workfare - 'It's exploitation and it's repellent'
27-09-2011 11:41 | 5 comments

Text Workfare Unravels
09-06-2011 14:12 | 4 comments

Image Success! Workfare conference cancelled due to protest
07-06-2011 17:19

Text Workfare Enquiry
16-05-2011 07:19

Text GMB Union Promotes Workfare as Answer.
15-05-2011 20:55

Text Project Work - the original workfare scheme
18-04-2011 00:03

Generic media Anti-cuts, anti-workfare - IWW film night and discussion - this Saturday night!
29-09-2010 19:48 | 2 comments

Text Plotting and scheming for Welfare not Workfare
04-12-2009 01:02 | 5 comments

Text U.S style Workfare coming to the U.K...
23-07-2008 11:51 | 9 comments

XML UK Workfare Newswire Archive