A brief presentation of the
Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group
21.05.2012
The
Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group (KUWG) is mentored by the Brent Trades
Union Council. It was formed on the 28 July 2009 at the initiative of Sertuc,
the South East Region of the Trade Union Congress in London. In that sense, the
KUWG is an integral part of the British working class.
The
KUWG sent a resolution to the PCS (Public & Commercial Service Union) in
support of the strikes of JobCentre Call Centres Advisers who demand more time
and better conditions to look after the unwaged. The KUWG recognises that the
struggle of employed and unemployed workers is one and the same.
The
KUWG accepts the solidarity of any helpful political organisation, but as the
KUWG itself, it is not sharing its platform with any political group.
The
KUWG operates mostly in the Brent and Camden areas, but individuals from other
areas are welcome. The KUWG has the right to attend the Brent Trades Council
meetings. There, it can submit resolutions but it cannot vote.
0770 993
2267 Marie Lynam, secretary
Facebook: Kilburn Unemployed Workers
The
Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group (KUWG) meets every Thursday 3-5pm at the
Kingsgate Community Centre, 107 Kingsgate Road, London NW6 2JH.
The
KUWG works consistently to help resolve the problems of persons unfairly
treated by the DWP, or by the JobCentrePlus in Cambridge Avenue, NW6. The
purpose of the KUWG is to defend each other and defend our much-trampled-upon
human rights. We give a voice to the women, the sick, the unwaged and the
single parents. We stand against the demonization of those out of work, when
the bankers and the capitalist governments preside over a brutal and absurd
economic system that directs most of the nation’s wealth and power towards 1%
of the population at the expense of the remaining 99%.
We
support the Job Seekers in their economic and emotional struggle, as they are
robbed of the right to use their human creativity. Whenever possible and
necessary, we accompany them to DWP interviews and meetings. The KUWG opposes
the mean, cruel and ineffective Work
Programme and Welfare Reform Bill
of the Cameron/Clegg government. We condemn the connivance of the Labour’s
Milliband leadership that has no real objection to the principles of
‘austerity’ for the workers and more billions in tax cuts for finance capital.
We
protest against the health re-assessment of private companies like ATOS that
mock and override the medical profession. Labour unnecessarily introduced these
companies in British Welfare, leaving the British people defenceless in front
of the government’s war against wages and benefits. The unwaged are becoming
work-placement commodities, whilst the trade unions, the minimum wage and the
salaries are being assaulted and violently ground down.
On
May 10, 2012, the PCS union went on strike nationally, along with other public
service Unions, in defence of pensions. The PCS, the Kilburn Unemployed,
BrentFightback, Women’s groups and some left political organisations created an
official picket line in front of the Kilburn JobCentrePlus, Cambridge Avenue,
London NW6. In central London, the POA (prison officers Union) had joined the
strike, and 20,000 off-duty police persons were having their own march.
The
KUWG works in a democratic manner so that everybody has a voice, and the
experiences of everyone can be used constructively. Under the banner of the
unemployed, it is our intention to work in solidarity with all anti-austerity
organisations. We believe that the conditions exist for the rise of a
London-wide, national and international organisation of the unemployed. The
cuts in health, housing and benefits are throwing people out of their homes,
out of towns. Unite the Union is organising the unemployed, and we call on them
to seek TUC support to start new groups like ours’ in London.
Please
help distribute our leaflets, attend our regular weekly meetings and join us in
the struggle against the insane accumulation of riches by a handful of
profiteers who are bankrupting the peoples of Europe and of the world.
The
KUWG is part of the London Coalition
against Poverty (LCAP) that links together similar groups in London. Some
of our members have taken part in, and contributed to the St Paul’s Occupy London Stock Exchange camp. We
intervened also in the Brent Peoples Assembly organised by BrentFightback and the Brent
Trades Council. We call for the continuation of such Assemblies that link
the Trade Unions, the workers parties, the unemployed, the various community
campaigns and the general population. KUWG demands that JSA be raised for young
and adults alike to at least £115 pw.
KUWG
asks sympathetic organisations and benefactors to link up with us, and if
possible, to make donations. As the secretary of the KUWG at the present time,
I wish to thank the Brent TUC and the Trade Unions that have helped us so far.
Marie Lynam, GMB,
We
urge Trade Unions and Community Funding groups to help us fight the battles
that will complement their own in their workplaces and communities.
Cheques welcome,
made to ‘KUWG’ and sent to: The KUWG Officers, 85 Webheath, Netherwood Street,
London NW6 2JS
