unemployment

Welcome to the occupation

Published February 2012. Written for Shift's Precarity series, the Introduction to which can be read here.

What are the meanings of ‘occupation’ today? How might the word’s different uses relate to each other, specifically in the context of the UK’s current political situation?

Yes the present hour is very severe at least

May Day 2013 leaflet by Groupe Express-Roularta, Paris.

This is a response to a leaflet produced by the striking workers of the Aulnay PSA (Peugeot-Citroen) plant which is due for imminent closure. Translated by Chronos Publications.

The Industrial Workers of the World and the unemployed In Edmonton and Calgary in the Depression of 1913-1915

Submitted by wojtek on Mar 11 2013 12:55

A paper by David Schultz studying the IWW's efforts to organize the unemployed of Edmonton and Calgary during the economic depression of 1913-15: most were transient, unskilled workers, and many had just arrived from railway construction camps in the interior where the IWW had led massive strikes.

Labour /Le Travail Vol. 25, (Spring, 1990), pp. 47-75.

First successes in struggle against against forced labour in the Netherlands

Submitted by Appelschaar on Feb 21 2013 10:34

It has already been over two years since Doorbraak started an experiment in Leiden of using ‘organizing’ elements in the battle against the government cuts. We have reported back a few times, and this time we can report the first actual results!

Examples of these ' organizing' elements are conducting dialogues, indepth evaluation of all activities, and targeted efforts at building a position of power.

Unity and solidarity with claimants should be practical, not just theoretical

Submitted by Phil on Feb 11 2013 18:11

With attacks on claimants and the unemployed escalating, campaigners and trade unions have made numerous calls for “unity” between workers and the unemployed. But too often, this “unity” is a purely theoretical one. How can we go beyond words to build a practical basis for solidarity across our entire class?

One of the most high profile examples of this unity of words is the joint statement signed by the PCS Union, Disabled People Against Cuts and Black Triangle.

My experience with the work programme so far

Submitted by the croydonian ... on Jan 11 2013 15:46

I was recently reffered onto the Work Programme by the Job Centre on very sketchy grounds. Yesterday I had my initial introductory group meeting with A4E called "About You" and here is my account of how it went and everything leading up to it.

It all started a couple of weeks ago when I managed to finally see my new adviser at the Job Centre after being blown off numerous times before at extremely late notice (half an hour before my appointment for example).

Rejecting the compulsory jobs guarantee and the left's work ethic

Submitted by Phil on Jan 8 2013 17:55

A look at Labour's compulsory jobs guarantee and the problematic narratives that inform the debate around both it and unemployment in general.

Few regular libcom.org readers will, I imagine, need it explaining why Labour's recent proposal for a compulsory jobs guarantee is a crock. However, as is often the case with Labour policies, it is being pushed as something “left” by certain people.

A new start? Welfare changes and the labour-power shortage

Submitted by With Sober Senses on Jan 6 2013 02:16

An attempt to understand the changes to welfare in Australia by looking at the impact of the labour-shortage caused by the mining boom.

As some readers might be aware on 1^st of January substantial changes to the single parent payment took place.

Wrong to work! Two perspectives on the abolition of work

Submitted by Joseph Kay on Jan 3 2013 20:45

ALL MUST WORK! declares the cabinet of millionaires. 'Workers not shirkers!', they implore. 'Strivers not skivers!' The divide-and-rule rhetoric trying to pit those in work against those without is as relentless as it is transparent. But what's so good about work anyway?

Junge Linke's short piece nicely skewers how attempts to mobilise resentment of claimants and the unemployed undermine even those in work who aren't claiming benefits. What I'd like to focus on is two perspectives on what an explicitly anti-work politics might look like.

Robocommunism