The True Face of the Salvation Army – Workfare Protest Marred By False Arrest and Staff Aggression

There were shocking scenes at the South London offices of workfare exploiters the Salvation Army today as employees of the charity manhandled anti-workfare protesters, tried to seize personal property and then physically prevented them from leaving the building.

Astonishingly one person who managed to escape from the premises  before staff blockaded protesters inside was falsely accused of assault and then arrested.

The UK offices of the charity were visited by campaigners today as part of the National Week of Action Against Workfare.  Salvation Army are one of the largest charities left who use forced labour – under threat of benefit sanctions -  to staff their charity shops.  Most decent charities have pulled out in disgust at the exploitative nature of the scheme. The Salvation Army have no such principles and recently appeared to admit that they are even happy to use those on sickness or disability benefits as forced unpaid workers.

Today’s action began at the charity’s plush International Headquarters in the City of London.  A workfare army visited the charity holding a sermon extolling the benefits of forced labour in their reception area.  Meanwhile several people went downstairs to the cafe run by the charity and handed out leaflets.

Many people were shocked at the organisation’s open use of workfare, and thanked the protesters for making them aware of it.  The protest (pictured above) was good-natured and non-violent throughout and eventually a Major from the charity agreed to speak to those present.

The Major claimed that as the international headquarters for the charity, they were not responsible for the actions of the UK section of the Salvation Army.  When it was pointed out that protesters were there to show what was being done in the organisation’s name, he agreed that he was happy for the protest to remain in the building until they closed for the day.

He also suggested that campaigners should visit the UK Headquarters in Elephant & Castle who have the ultimate say of the charity’s use of workfare.  Not wanting to disobey an order from a Major that’s exactly what those present decided to do.

On arrival at the charity’s Elephant & Castle offices it was clear that a very different side of this supposedly Christian organisation would be on display.

At first several staff – who may have been security but never identified themselves as such – refused to allow protesters into the building.  In what appeared to be a change of heart they then relented and opened the doors to allow people inside.

Once inside another workfare sermon began and then some of those present began to sing hymns.  This seemed to particularly annoy the charity’s staff who called the police.  The mood quickly turned ugly as the Salvation Army’s bully boys began shouting at protesters that they were blocking fire exists and would be arrested – a claim which was clearly nonsense as there was easy access in and out of the building.

Despite not only having been told to visit by the organisation’s International Headquarters, and allowed onto the premises, they then began accusing people of trespass and demanding that people should give them their mobile phones and cameras.

Shocked at the aggresive response to a completely peaceful and non threatening action, a decision was made by the protesters to leave.  Sadly only one person made it out of the building as the Salvation Army thugs blocked the door and attempted to grab hold of people to physically prevent anyone from leaving.

As this took place the police arrived and one Salvation Army staff member began insisting the person who had escaped from the building had assaulted him, leading to the individual being arrested.  A stand off ensued as those inside were finally freed – the charity presumably deciding that kidnapping people in full view of the police was a step too far even for their shady operation.

Police were heard discussing amongst themselves that they had witnessed people being trapped inside by Salvation Army employees.  After tense negotiations it appeared even the police didn’t believe the charity’s wild claims and the individual accused of assault was de-arrested and allowed to leave.

After the good-natured protest earlier in the day this shocking sequence of events showed the true nature of this charity’s response to criticism.  Physical force, false allegations and abuse replaced the fake cheery PR front that the charity have attempted to portray when criticised for using workfare.

It seems that the Salvation Army are determined to silence any criticism of their dirty little workfare exploitation.  A day of online action in response to these events has now been called by Boycott Workfare tomorrow (Tues 19th March).

The Salvation Army are on twitter @salvationarmyuk

They can be found on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/salvationarmyuk

More contact details at: Workfare Makes You Free Claim Salvation Army – Join the Online Day of Action

Spread the word and let’s tell the Salvation Army exactly what the public thinks of their workfare exploitation and attempted use of force and false allegations to silence criticism.

Follow me on twitter @johnnyvoid

Workfare Disappearing From the High Street – Join the Week of Action and Help End Forced Work for Good

Two determined groups of workfare sleuths hit the streets of both north and south London yesterday in advance of the upcoming National Week of Action Against Workfare which begins tomorrow.

In both Kentish Town and Elephant and Castle many shops and businesses were visited to ask about their use of forced unpaid labour.  In a blow to Iain Duncan Smith’s plans for mass workfare, yesterday’s investigation revealed forced labour on some High Streets seems to have almost disappeared.

In Kentish Town, branches of  Subway, Poundstretcher and Mcdonalds all admitted they had used workfare in the past but had chosen not to continue.  All said that unpaid workers may be employed at other branches of these household names.  Both the PDSA and Age UK charity shop were quick to state they no longer took part in workfare schemes.  In fact the only well known name in Kentish Town (one independent business remains under investigation) who openly admitted to workfare were Oxfam.  Which frankly, after everything that’s happened, is disappointing.

In Elephant and Castle the lack of workfare placements was equally apparent with only Poundland admitting to using unemployed claimants as free labour.  This is in stark contrast to just over a year ago, when workfare seemed to riddle every High Street in the UK.

Whilst the results of this sleuth may not be typical, with so many large companies and charities withdrawing from the scheme, it does seem that High Street workfare has suffered a huge blow.  Unfortunately this does not mean the fight is over.  According to the monthly Labour Force Survey, the number of people on some form of workfare scheme are at record levels – although many of these may be Youth Apprentices, who may not be directly coerced but are paid the repugnant sum of just £2.65 per hour.

More than ever it is vital to know who is using workfare which seems increasingly hidden from public view.  If you know of a workfare exploiter name and shame them by visiting: http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?page_id=1703

And join the Week of Action Against Workfare which will see actions and protests around the UK aimed at bringing a final end to forced labour.  For the latest details of all events visit: http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=1996

Please help spread the word about all events.

On Tuesday Iain Duncan Smith will attempt to rewrite history and introduce new regulations to override the recent Appeal Court judgement which declared many previous benefit sanctions illegal and therefore repayable.  Sources have suggested Labour may support this vile move.  The Lib Dems almost certainly will.  Contact your local MP tomorrow (Monday 18th March) to urgently demand that they will not vote for this bill which steals money from the poorest and makes a laughing stock of an independent judiciary.  It takes just two minutes via this page set up by the PCS Union.

Follow me on twitter @johnnyvoid

Join the Week of Action And Help Smash Workfare

The Week of Action Against Workfare begins on March 18th.  Already several events are planned in Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and London.

Almost everyday new charities and companies pull out of forced labour.  Workfare is wobbling as the public says no to unpaid work.  Join the week of action and help bring an end to workfare for good!

Actions can be large or small, read a successful example of a two person action against workfare

Organise now and spread the word – contact Boycott Workfare to be added to the list of actions:  info@boycottworkfare.org

Events so far – keep an eye on Boycott Workfare for all the latest info or join the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/517491058274105/

Follow @boycottworkfare on twitter for the latest news and announcements

Brighton – Wednesday 20 March, Fighting the Assault on Welfare, Public meeting, Friends Meeting House 7.30pm,

Brighton – Friday 22 March , Universal Jobmatch demo/leafleting, Brighton Jobcentre Edward Street 11am

Brighton – Saturday 23 March – Anti-workfare picket of Poundland meet Clock Tower 12 noon

Bristol – Sat 23rd March – End workfare in Bristol

Edinburgh – Sat 23rd March, meet 12 noon, Kirkgate shopping centre, foot of Leith Walk, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6AD. Organised by Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty. Action against companies and charities using workfare.

Edinburgh – also… Mass leafleting of A4e, 11am – 2pm Wed 20 March, A4e, 34 Earl Grey Street Edinburgh EH3 9BN

Glasgow – Sat 23rd March, 11am, Argyle St.

Leeds – Sat 23rd March, 12.30pm, outside Leeds Art Gallery

London - Sat 16th March – ‘Blitz Sleuth’ of London high streets to find out where workfare is still being used. See the Facebook event.

London – Sat 23rd March – Workfare action with Sol Fed. Details tba.

Please share, blog, tweet and spread the word!

Follow me on twitter @johnnyvoid

Fuck the Government, Fuck the Courts, We’ll Beat Workfare on the Streets

Join the Week of Action Against Workfare beginning on March 18th and let’s bring a final end to forced work:  http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=1996

Charities around the UK are abandoning the Government’s forced labour obsession and pulling out of workfare.  Last year the volume of pressure from the public forced many private companies to distance themselves, with ongoing pickets and boycotts aimed at High Street names.

After an ongoing and sustained campaign by Solidarity Federation even Holland & Barrett, who were planing to take on thousands of unpaid workers, abandoned their exploitative plans.  Sol Fed have no turned their attention to Poundland, with a protest being held in Peckham this Saturday (16th March): https://www.facebook.com/events/398008846962583/?ref=2

The Unions have condemned workfare, with the PCS yesterday issuing their strongest statement yet objecting to unpaid work.

And yesterday the Courts ruled that Iain Duncan Smith’s bodged legislation led to many workfare schemes being illegal.

Workfare has been rejected by the public, ethical charities everywhere, the Unions and now even the courts.  But even this is not enough for DWP ministers who have caused utter confusion by attempting to rush new rules into law – exactly the kind of panicky blundering that led to yesterday’s court verdict.

Workfare can now only be beaten on the street, organise and spread the word about the week of action to help make it happen!

Visit Boycott Workfare for more info or join the facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/517491058274105/

And tell the workfare using charities on twitter what you think:  @Sue_Ryder @RSPCA_official @pdsa_hq @ymca_england @salvationarmyuk @tcvtweets @Papworth_Trust @RBLI

(and in the meantime, for once in their miserable lives, it might actually be worth contacting your MP.  John Mcdonnell has tabled a ‘prayer’ – don’t ask – in Parliament which may delay the new rules and needs support from MPs: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2012-13/1072)

Follow me on twitter @johnnyvoid

Anti-Workfare Surprise Party – Tomorrow!

Latest from Boycott Workfare

Wednesday December 12th – 2pm
Meet in Windrush Square, Brixton (outside the library)

Charities and companies using workfare are ruining people’s Christmases. Forcing people to work without pay, and replacing Christmas jobs with workfare.

But we’re not going to let them get away with it. Help bring business to a halt with a Christmas party to end workfare. If you were on workfare, imagine how much better your day would be if your workplace was turned into a party venue and if the party was a way of stepping up the pressure to stop exploiting people!

Let’s make it happen: Come to an anti-workfare party as part of Boycott Workfare’s week of action. Bring tinsel, workfare-themed decorations, instruments and music, snacks or ideas for party games!

Spread the word!

http://www.facebook.com/events/317622888351410/

National Week of Action Against Workfare Begins

The Week of Action Against Workfare begins tomorrow (Saturday December 8th).  Here’s the latest list of what’s taking place from Boycott Workfare.  Keep an eye on their website for updates and reports.

Please tweet, share and spread the word about all events.

Saturday 8th December actions:

Birmingham
Workfare’s Christmas Bonus For The Bosses

Brighton
Superdrug Steals Christmas

Dundee
Name and shame: The Dundee Workfare providers tour

Edinburgh
Say No! To Unpaid Labour

Glasgow
Anti-Workfare Picket Against Superdrug

Leeds
The Leeds Tour of Workfare

Liverpool
Combat Workfare

London
North London Solidarity Federation
Combat Workfare National Day of Action

London
South London Solidarity Federation
END UNPAID WORK

Wednesday 12th action:
London
Anti-Workfare surprise party

Friday 14th:
London end of year social at LARC

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Boycott Workfare in Brum, Brighton, Leeds and Kilburn

Resistance to unpaid labour continues around the UK with at least four anti-workfare protests taking place over the next fortnight.

This Saturday 3rd November North London Solidarity Federation will be meeting outside Poundland in Kilburn High Road from noon.

All welcome, more info on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/events/548947038455870/

On the same day in Brighton a picket of Superdrug has been called by Brighton Benefits Campaign.  Meet at the Clock Tower from noon on Saturday 3rd November: http://www.facebook.com/events/506918476000194/

The Leeds Unemployment Action Group will also be taking action on 3rd November with Argos, Superdrug and Poundland in their sights.  Meet at 2pm outside Argos on Headrow: http://www.facebook.com/events/434505809941086/

On the 10th November Boycott Workfare West Midlands will be holding a demonstration at so called charity British Heart Foundation on Harborne High Street.  British Heart Foundation are one of the largest charities making use of forced labour under the Mandatory Work Scheme.  Join in from 11.30 am at British Heart Foundation, 159 High Street Harborne, Birmingham, West Midlands B17 9QE.  More info at: http://www.facebook.com/events/500424336644051/

If you can’t make Birmingham then don’t forget to tweet British Heart Foundation to demand they pay their workers and pull out of all workfare schemes @thebhf

Please help share, tweet and help spread the word about all events.  Feel free to post details of any other anti-workfare action taking place in the comments.

http://www.boycottworkfare.org/

Marching Is Not Enough – Boycott Workfare and DPAC Show the Way

Militant actions by Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and Boycott Workfare were the high points at yesterday’s TUC march which otherwise was depressingly reminiscent of the ever decreasing returns which demolished the antiwar movement at the start of the century.

Union leaders have repeatedly threatened campaigns of direct action or civil disobedience aimed at austerity which have never materialised.  Yesterday hundreds of people decided to ignore their speeches in Hyde Park and take part in the mass shut down of workfare exploiters on Oxford Street or  join DPAC in blockading Park Lane.

The Radical Workers bloc, called by Solidarity Federation, which joined the unofficial feeder march from South London, was well attended and spirited.  Determined and disciplined fitwatching along the route of the march ensured that police intelligence gathering was kept to a minimum.

On arrival at Trafalgar Square a large portion of the march outwitted the heavy police presence and broke away from the route.  For a short period it seemed as if the glories of last year on March 26th, when every bank and The Ritz was given a taste of working class rage, might be repeated.  Sadly this was not to be.

Whilst the mob stormed through the back streets of the West End, hundreds of people were already gathering at Oxford Circus for the Boycott Workfare actions.  As the crowd swelled a samba band and impressively loud soundsystem led the crowd to the Carnaby branch of the workfare exploiting Hilton Hotel chain.  After a brief occupation of the hotel, the fast moving protest moved on to target Primark, McDonalds, Marks & Spencers and the Salvation Army who are all involved in using unpaid labour.

Tax dodgers Starbucks, Boots and Vodafone were also targeted and many stores rushed to close as the protest approached.  Despite some scuffles, and a strong response to any sign of aggresive policing, the day remained peaceful, with just a couple of arrests reported by legal monitors.

Meanwhile the news came through that Disabled People Against Cuts had blocked the busy Park Lane with wheelchair users chaining themselves together to stop traffic.  Whilst some people left Oxford Street to join them, others played a cat and mouse game with police around the West End.  Police attempts to kettle or contain people were thwarted by the speed of protesters, but ultimately it all got a bit messy and confused.  The large crowd repeatedly become separated and groups at times found themselves running in different directions.  Eventually the splintered protest diminished and there are lessons to be learnt.

Whilst the march overall was well attended, the numbers were much reduced from last year’s TUC demo on March 26th.  Marches, whilst great for meeting people, are ultimately ineffective and at worst merely serve to give the impression of consent.  If just 10% of the people who marched passively against the Iraq war had instead blockaded air bases or taken militant direct action against high value targets then the mass slaughter that followed in the Middle East may never have taken place.  We cannot make the same mistake now that the UK, along with the rest of Europe, is being plunged into a neo-liberal capitalist hell whilst the rich co-ordinate the destruction of any last form of meaningful resistance to their greed.

It’s of little surprise that it’s benefit claimants and disabled people who are fighting hardest against the vicious and needless austerity drive.  The so called squeezed middle, who seem to be the only people that matter – other than the rich – to all three political parties, are indeed facing job insecurity or cut backs to their living standards.  For the low waged, disabled or unemployed people, the situation is far more acute as the poorest are scapegoated and blamed for all of capitalism’s problems.

We are fighting for our homes, our health, our kids and in all too many cases our lives.  The death toll from austerity is real and grows every day.  No amount of marching to Hyde Park and listening to Ed Milliband promising more of the same will change that.

Strikes, occupations, blockades, sabotage and direct confrontation are all we have left.  If the trade unions genuinely want a future that works then co-ordinated surrenders, as happened over public pensions, are a betrayal of working class people.  This really isn’t a dress rehearsal, they want to take away everything we’ve won.  The question is do we have what it takes to stop them?

Above pic from:  http://www.facebook.com/boycottworkfare

A Future That Works Won’t Have Workfare – Close Down the Workfare Exploiters on October 20th

Join Boycott Workfare after the TUC demonstration this weekend to shut down the workfare profiteers exploiting the unemployed.

Meet at 2.30pm, Oxford Circus, Saturday 20th October

Join the facebook group and blog, tweet, share – spread the word: http://www.facebook.com/events/397571753647212/

Earlier in the day Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) will be meeting to join the TUC March and: “are asking for every DPAC supporter who can to join us at the short march meeting point at Jermyn Street/ St.James Street just off Picadilly at 11.30 am” http://www.dpac.uk.net/2012/10/tuc-march-october-20th-latest-information/

A radical workers bloc called by South London Solidarity Federation and Anarchist Federation will join the South London feeder march meeting at 10.30am in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park by the Imperial War Museum: http://libcom.org/forums/announcements/oct-20-future-without-work-radical-workers-bloc-south-london-feeder-tuc-mar

An education bloc is meeting outside the University of London Union (ULU),  Malet Street at 11am: http://www.facebook.com/events/232513776877359/

Finally the main TUC March will assemble on Embankment to march to Hyde Park at 11am: http://afuturethatworks.org/

Workfare Shutdown on October 20th

From  Boycott Workfare

Meet at 2.30pm at Oxford Circus, 20/10/202

Join the facebook event and invite your friends.

The fight back against workfare continues on Oct 20th when tens of thousands are expected to march on London against austerity. As people march for a future that works, Boycott Workfare will be taking action for a future without forced unpaid labour.

The growing resistance against exploitative government work schemes is rattling the arrogance of workfare’s architects and profiteers. Retailers have withdrawn from workfare due to pressure from campaigners; warnings of “imminent contract failures” are being made by Work Programme charities. Neither Workfare nor the Work Programme is working.

Any of us could be subjected to forced unpaid work through the government’s back to work schemes, so it’s in the interest of all of us that we fight back. At the end of the day, workfare is an attack on the work and welfare of the unemployed and employed. It not only provides a source of cheap labour to profit-making companies but it also undermines the pay and conditions of those already in paid work.

Join Boycott Workfare in London on Oct 20th and let’s shut down the profiteers exploiting the unemployed.

Please share, tweet, spread the word.

A radical workers feeder march will be assembling at 10.30am on the day of the TUC March to leave from South London – Meet at Mary Geraldine Harmsworth Park, more details at: http://www.facebook.com/events/445666412138079/