Thursday, 17 March 2011
Thursday, 3 February 2011
upcoming demo and public meeting
Together, we can...
...STOP THE CUTS!
* Save our services!
* Fight for every job!
* Hands off our retirement!
People and communities before profit and privatisation!
“Bankers, Politicians, Fat Cats – We Won't Pay For Their Crisis!”
* Anti-Cuts Demo – Saturday 5th February, Abbey Courtyard, 12 midday
* Public Meeting – Tuesday 15th February, Friends Meeting House, York Street (near Abbey Green), 7.30pm
It's time to fight back against the cuts!
The Con-Dem spending review has now been released, and it is as bad as everyone expected. By raising our retirement age, freezing our wages, undermining welfare, tripling tuition fees (as well as scrapping humanities and arts departments in Higher Education, and the E.M.A. benefit), upping VAT to 20% and destroying our much-needed public services, this government has introduced a spending review that hits the poorest and most vulnerable in society hardest, and leaves the rich and the bankers virtually unscathed. And the scandal of private companies being handed over control of health services will mean widespread hospital closures, and the complete destruction of the NHS.
While we suffer, the Sunday Times' Rich List reported that the wealthiest 1,000 UK citizens have seen their fortunes increase by £77 billion over the past year. This increase alone would be enough to pay for the Tory budget measures, AND leave those 1,000 individuals £38 million each better off than last year! Restoring corporate tax to pre-Thatcher levels (£27.5 billion), closing down the rich's tax loopholes (£95 billion) and collecting their unpaid taxes (£28 billion), as well as getting troops out of the Middle East (£4.5 billion) and scrapping Trident (£97 billion) – these steps would also heal the deficit... But the budget has more to do with the old Tory policies of privatisation, public sector cuts and looking out for their rich mates, than it does about helping average people. Indeed, the current cabinet includes 18 millionaires, and over half went to private school: no, we're not “all in this together”.
And all this is taking place whilst banks (over here and in Ireland) and companies like Marks & Spencer, SABMiller (brewers of Grolsch), Cadbury's, Boots/TopShop and Vodafone are graciously allowed to opt out of the taxes they owe – with the latter two owing £300 million and £6 billion respectively.
Meanwhile, B&NES Council are making their own plans to carry out the government's cuts, including cutting 400 or more council jobs over four years, as well as privatising or winding down its youth services, healthcare, adult support services and libraries, as well as thousands of MoD jobs to be lost from all three Bath sites. In fact, by adopting its proposed new buzzword role of being an 'enabler' rather than a 'provider' of services, the council itself will cease to have any relevance, or power to do its job and serve its community, in any way.
What can we do to stop these cuts?
Just like with the fight against the Poll Tax at the beginning of the 1990s, a massive campaign has been started to defend our services and fight back against the cuts, up and down the country. We can win, but we need as many people as possible to stand up against these cuts and to defend their jobs and communities.
In Bath, the Bath Anti-Cuts Alliance has already held several large meetings and protests, and consists of a mixture of trades union members, socialists, students, anarchists, community activists and others, and meets fortnightly. To get involved in the campaign, or to let us know about cuts in your workplace or community, email us at bathagainstcuts@yahoo.co.uk
...STOP THE CUTS!
* Save our services!
* Fight for every job!
* Hands off our retirement!
People and communities before profit and privatisation!
“Bankers, Politicians, Fat Cats – We Won't Pay For Their Crisis!”
* Anti-Cuts Demo – Saturday 5th February, Abbey Courtyard, 12 midday
* Public Meeting – Tuesday 15th February, Friends Meeting House, York Street (near Abbey Green), 7.30pm
It's time to fight back against the cuts!
The Con-Dem spending review has now been released, and it is as bad as everyone expected. By raising our retirement age, freezing our wages, undermining welfare, tripling tuition fees (as well as scrapping humanities and arts departments in Higher Education, and the E.M.A. benefit), upping VAT to 20% and destroying our much-needed public services, this government has introduced a spending review that hits the poorest and most vulnerable in society hardest, and leaves the rich and the bankers virtually unscathed. And the scandal of private companies being handed over control of health services will mean widespread hospital closures, and the complete destruction of the NHS.
While we suffer, the Sunday Times' Rich List reported that the wealthiest 1,000 UK citizens have seen their fortunes increase by £77 billion over the past year. This increase alone would be enough to pay for the Tory budget measures, AND leave those 1,000 individuals £38 million each better off than last year! Restoring corporate tax to pre-Thatcher levels (£27.5 billion), closing down the rich's tax loopholes (£95 billion) and collecting their unpaid taxes (£28 billion), as well as getting troops out of the Middle East (£4.5 billion) and scrapping Trident (£97 billion) – these steps would also heal the deficit... But the budget has more to do with the old Tory policies of privatisation, public sector cuts and looking out for their rich mates, than it does about helping average people. Indeed, the current cabinet includes 18 millionaires, and over half went to private school: no, we're not “all in this together”.
And all this is taking place whilst banks (over here and in Ireland) and companies like Marks & Spencer, SABMiller (brewers of Grolsch), Cadbury's, Boots/TopShop and Vodafone are graciously allowed to opt out of the taxes they owe – with the latter two owing £300 million and £6 billion respectively.
Meanwhile, B&NES Council are making their own plans to carry out the government's cuts, including cutting 400 or more council jobs over four years, as well as privatising or winding down its youth services, healthcare, adult support services and libraries, as well as thousands of MoD jobs to be lost from all three Bath sites. In fact, by adopting its proposed new buzzword role of being an 'enabler' rather than a 'provider' of services, the council itself will cease to have any relevance, or power to do its job and serve its community, in any way.
What can we do to stop these cuts?
Just like with the fight against the Poll Tax at the beginning of the 1990s, a massive campaign has been started to defend our services and fight back against the cuts, up and down the country. We can win, but we need as many people as possible to stand up against these cuts and to defend their jobs and communities.
In Bath, the Bath Anti-Cuts Alliance has already held several large meetings and protests, and consists of a mixture of trades union members, socialists, students, anarchists, community activists and others, and meets fortnightly. To get involved in the campaign, or to let us know about cuts in your workplace or community, email us at bathagainstcuts@yahoo.co.uk
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
the black fingernail approach to unwanted jobs
HHello,
As you know, if you are on Jobseeker’s Allowance and you refuse what the Jobcentre calls a reasonable job offer then you get a sanction. To get around this, I have written a letter called Brighton. You will find a copy of it at the end of this email. Using it has allowed me to openly refuse these so-called reasonable job offers without being punished. The more people who know about it the better.
The purpose of Brighton is threefold. First of all, to prevent the Jobcentre from forcing people into taking low paid or unsuitable work. Secondly, to give people who may not be ready to return to work just yet, a breathing space. And thirdly, to undermine the new Work Programme and give it’s grasping providers a massive headache. In short, it is for anyone who wants to actively resist being bullied by the Jobcentre.
HHere is how it works. When I sign on, the Jobcentre try and force me to apply for jobs that are at locations I can’t get to on time unless you have your own transport. Or they try and force me to apply for jobs where I don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience. When I protest, they tell me that if I don’t apply for them then it could affect my claim. To keep them sweet, I apply for these jobs. At the same time I send these companies a copy of Brighton.
IIt works beautifully. If the Jobcentre say anything to me, I just say I didn’t know what they’re on about. Well, there’s no law against scratching your nose is there. They are hopping mad but there’s not a damn thing they can do about it. And at the end of the day, I don’t see why anyone should be forced into taking a shit job just so that this government can pat itself on the back, point to low levels of unemployment and say what a great job they’re doing.
IIain Duncan Smith believes that however demeaning or low paid a job is, people should take these jobs rather than receive benefits. I disagree. Forcing people to take a low paid job just to help this mountebank pay off a debt caused by his millionaire banker chums and his embezzling, house-flipping colleagues isn’t just unacceptable; it’s morally repugnant as well. Duncan Smith’s pronouncements also reveal something far more disturbing: he actually believes he is a force for good in this country. Well, if he believes that these jobs are so nourishing for the soul then why an earth doesn’t he do one of them himself.
WWhat politicians fail to realise is that people remain unemployed for a reason. Well I say fail to realise, I think they realise only too well. Only it doesn’t quite fit into their worldview of how they think things should be perceived according to them. People do actually remain unemployed for a variety of reasons. They may be caught in a benefits trap; they may have been wrongly forced off incapacity benefit or suffering from depression; they may be caring for an elderly relative; or shock-horror, they may not actually want to do the job that they’ve been bullied into applying for.
II’m sorely tempted to send Brighton to Duncan Smith and Grayling just to rub their noses in it; but I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag just yet.
II read an article in the newspaper yesterday that said 177,000 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance were sanctioned because they had refused a so-called reasonable job offer. Consequently, as a matter of urgency, I would like you to circulate Brighton as widely as you can. The more people who know about it the better. Its simplicity makes it the perfect weapon to fight the Jobcentre and Duncan Smith’s work programme.
SSincerely,
TThe Black Fingernail
EEncl: BRIGHTON
DDear Sir or Madam
RRe:
II am writing to you in connection with the above vacancy, which is being advertised in the Jobcentre.
BBecause you have chosen to advertise this vacancy through the Jobcentre, a number of unemployed and formerly long-term sick people are going to be forced by the Jobcentre into applying for this vacancy under threat of having their benefits stopped if they refuse. They will be advised to phone you to arrange an interview or ask if they can send you a CV/written application.
TThe Jobcentre can force the unemployed to apply for any vacancy advertised through them, regardless of their suitability for that vacancy. The unemployed are forbidden from disclosing that they have been told to apply for a vacancy; and nor can they refuse an offer of a job either.
PPeople who are forced into taking a job under threat of having their benefits stopped if they refuse will almost certainly harbour a great deal of anger and resentment. If you employ such a person then that anger could drive them into carrying out wanton acts of vandalism to your company running into thousands of pounds. Your fixtures and fittings could be damaged, for example. Fire alarms could go off repeatedly. Sickness may prevent them from doing a full week’s work. And that’s just for starters.
BBefore you go getting your knickers in a twist, just be aware that people who remain unemployed do so for a variety of reasons. They may be caught in a benefits trap; they may have been wrongly forced off incapacity benefit; or they may be caring for an elderly relative. The Jobcentre also have what they call a ninety-minute rule. This means that if a vacancy is do-able by public transport within ninety minutes (an-hour-and-a half) from where the unemployed live then they have to apply for that vacancy.
TTo indicate to you that they do not want this job and that they only applied for it under threat of having their benefits stopped if they refused; they will scratch their noses. And it will be done in such a way as to leave you under no illusions as to where they are coming from.
SShould you choose to ignore this then you will have yourself the employee from hell; and all that it entails.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
January meeting post-poned
Apologies, but this month's meeting won't be taking place. In February, Bath Activist Network still meets on Thursday the 3rd, at 7.30pm, as normal
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Bath Bomb benefit gig announcement
That's right – it's the season of suicide and drink-driving, so why not drown out the jingle bells hype with The Bath Bomb's Solstice Knees Up!
“Chocks Away!”
Featuring:
Spanner – militant ska punk from Brizzle (http://www.spannerintheworks.net/intheworks.htm)
Belladonna – bristling, raw-throat, rocking post-punk (http://www.belladonnabristol.co.uk)
Rapscallion Sound – punchy juicy reggae 12-piece from Bath, with beats (http://www.myspace.com/rapscallionsound)
and your host, without compere:
Madame Hatter – dirty French lessons, word-play and wonder (http://www.myspace.com/madamehatterfolkhall)
At 'The Love Lounge' (the back room of The Bell public house), Walcot Street, Bath, Saturday the 11th December, 7.30pm, £3.00 entry and a free gift*. All proceeds go towards funding Bath's only independent radical monthly freesheet – check out http://www.thebathbomb.blogspot.com
For more info, e-mail bathbombpress[at]yahoo.co.uk
*We can't guarantee that the free gift won't be a copy of the above-mentioned freesheet
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