With the workfare scheme still forcing thousands into unpaid work placements, REVOLUTION joined up with others to organise two walks of shame to target business exploiting young unemployed.
With around 8 people on the first day, this number rose to 14 on the second. The atmosphere was lively, out of the people there; there were members from the SWP, Leeds Unemployment Action Group and members of trade union Unite. Around half of the people hadn’t been involved in action before and had got involved through receiving a leaflet the previous day.
The tour began at Asda where the staff seemed to be pro-workfare and quite happy to let their managers profit at the expense the unemployed. At the Hilton we handed workfare leaflets to the staff manager who denied the Hilton had any participation in Workfare. At the point someone got their phone out to show the manager the Hilton’s quote on the workfare website. He walked away threatening to call the police if we didn’t get off ‘his property’ – another boss who knows the police can always be called on to defend the privelege of the bosses’ private property.
Finally we went to Greggs where we handed out leaflets and collected signatures from customers.
Overall we got a good response from people and they were interested to hear about workfare and what it was doing.
We must continue this fightback and force more companies to back out of the scheme as Hollandand Barrett and Pizza Hut have recently done.
This Sunday in Leeds we are having a demonstration outside Argos on the Headrow. Spread the word and see you there!
No wages – outrageous!
