South London trade unionists are organising free training for claimants on issues like the government’s new universal credit, sanctions against claimants and the Housing Bill.
The first “Stand up for your rights!” session will be on Friday 20 May at the Stockwell Park Community Centre, 21 Aytoun Place, SW9 0TE, from 12 to 2pm.
Before then, members of Unite Community will have a stall and hand out leaflets publicising the training outside Stockwell jobcentre this Friday (13 May) from 9.30 to 11am and outside the Brixton jobcentre on Tuesday 17 May from 9.30 to 11am.
Unite Community offers a new type of membership for the trade union Unite for people who are not in work. The union says it brings people outside a workplace into the union community, “linking families and workplaces together to strive for a better, more caring society”.
Community membership is designed to put organising and activism at the centre of communities and provide a structure for people to campaign for change, says the union.
Membership also offers services including discounts at high street retailers, debt counselling and a free 24-hour legal helpline.
The training will include:
- Universal credit and the claimant commitment-what it is and how to make it work for you
- Sanctions – how to avoid them and how to appeal against them
- The Housing Bill – how it will affect claimants and how to fight it
- Trades unions, claimants’ unions and sticking together – how claimants can help each other.
It is organised by London Unemployed Strategies, part of the South East region of the TUC.
More information on the training from Nick Phillips on 020 7467 1283 or nickplus007@gmail.com.
Unite Community
The Lambeth & Southwark branch of Unite Community campaigns on local issues including housing and
library closures. It offers support and solidarity to members facing problems such as bedroom tax, bailiffs
or eviction.
Members meet on the third Monday of every month at 6.30pm in the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road, Brixton, London, SW2 1EP.
Contact 07410 172004 or email the branch secretary: thomas.wood@unitetheunion.org
Facebook: UniteCommunityLambeth
More about Unite Community membership.
