Royal Mail 'Work Experience' Programme

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=328" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

“Congress reaffirms its belief…that compulsory workfare schemes are in contradiction to the notion of welfare rights.”
TUC Congress 2010 Final Agenda

The leadership of Communication Workers Union have this week issued a letter to branches stating they will support DWP ’Work Experience’ at the Royal Mail. The scheme will begin with ten 30 hour a week workfare placements at a time in each region. Over the course of a year, each region will see 130 forced unpaid workers. There is no sign of any jobs at the end for those forced to take part in the scheme.

The questions for the union are:

How the CWU can support a scheme which mandates people to work for less than minimum wage and penalises them by cutting off even the subsistence income of £50 Jobseekers if they do not take part?
How can the union leadership support a scheme, which is already seeing paid workers replaced with forced workers across the UK?

All the evidence that Boycott Workfare has received demonstrates that workfare schemes such as “Work Experience” lead to overtime and staff hours being cut for those who are employed.

The CWU has said it will review its position after an initial trial period, so this is an important time to remind the leadership of its responsibilities to its members. We ask all union members and CWU branches to contact the CWU leadership to challenge their support for this forced unpaid work scheme and to boycott it in their own workplaces.

You may want to point out to the CWU that:

People on Work Experience are subject to sanctions if they do not take part. This is forced labour.
The Guardian have helped to expose that these schemes do not benefit young people.
The Citizens Advice Bureau lists Work Experience as a compulsory scheme.

[cliffeyhez]

Surely. we cannot stand by and watch this happen?

[DGP1]

Surely. we cannot stand by and watch this happen?

The CWU seem to be all in favour of it.................and don't call me Shirley

[TeeferTiger]

Surely. we cannot stand by and watch this happen?

The CWU seem to be all in favour of it.................and don't call me Shirley

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Surely. we cannot stand by and watch this happen?

This is one of the concerns I had when I read the BT2010 deal and it used phrase such as Joint Comms, Joint Commitments, will work at a National level together....... .

The writing was on the wall I think.

[theboropostie]

At least all the deads will be done and the yard tidied

[Ahebban]

the DOMs cup kept filled ...

[Captain Scarlet]

Or o/t getting done for nothing cos these guys will be shafted as soon as they are in the door, then out after 10wks and another lot in for another 10wks.....get the picture :dcfo :ncfo :vcfo
total disgrace from a union that challenges employers of low paid workers to better their terms/cond. What can we expect this year from pay rise? maybe a wage cut as RM not doing too well, we are all in this together ain,t we????

[theboropostie]

Would be nice if some of the smack heads/scallies that laugh when were soaked to the skin dropping off their Giros turn up for some slave labour!

[DGP1]

the DOMs cup kept filled ...

I think we could all do that

[BoycottWorkfare]

Forced labour scheme may come to haunt CWU leadership...

http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2012/02 ... eadership/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[cliffeyhez]

Sadly, but for the odd exception, nobody really seems to care that our trade union is an accessory to instigating this travesty that is 'Workfare'.
Personally I'm having none of it, and will refuse to entertain or cooperate in any way I can.
I will not stand by and watch someone doing the same job as me for a pittance. That is slave labour, and against all principles of Trade Unionism. A fair days work for a fair days pay.
The CWU has acted shamelessly, and please no more smart arse, unfunny comments on here.
This is a serious matter .

[fishtank]

Sadly, but for the odd exception, nobody really seems to care that our trade union is an accessory to instigating this travesty that is 'Workfare'.
Personally I'm having none of it, and will refuse to entertain or cooperate in any way I can.
I will not stand by and watch someone doing the same job as me for a pittance. That is slave labour, and against all principles of Trade Unionism. A fair days work for a fair days pay.
The CWU has acted shamelessly,

Completely agree.
Most of the members i have spoken to are deeply embarrassed by the union's stance over this and the usual excuse of "it will happen anyway" doesn't wash.
I think HQ have got this badly wrong and i won't be a part of it...and neither will the other reps in our D.O,if Branch feel strongly enough they can send the Area Rep over to do the dirty work.

[subbie]

I think the use of the word "forced" to work is a little harsh.

Actually you guys criticising this are being twats.

Work experience is an invaluable part of a young persons introduction to the grown up world of work. They are simply not introduced or prepared by the education system for work, as it currently stands nor has the system ever been able to do so since the demise of the apprenticeship.

I did work experience, as did both my sons, I reckon it gave us all the edge when it came to securing jobs.

Give the kids a break, at least as part of their "work experience" you can direct these young people towards the benefits of Union membership in preparation for later life. School won't teach them this.

Subbie

Currently playing host to a work experience person.

[fishtank]

If it's so good an idea subbie,if it brings benefits to the employer and the hopefully prospective employee.
Why not incentivise the programme by paying these youngsters a wage rather than using the stick of withdrawal of benefits?
Surely that would completely undermine the claims of the "twats" that it will just be abused by unscrupulous employers looking to have some free labour around....and at the same time give the kids a true sense of the main reason to enter the world of work....to earn a wage and pay their way.
Not that i would accuse you of stooping so low.....i'm sure you're investing in your "work experience person's" future.