Although the official start of the Job Seekers Allowance has been put off till October, the number of offices running 'pilot' schemes, or similar 'actively signing' schemes, means its pretty much here, and we've got to do something about it.
On April 8th there was a March through London organised by London against the JSA, followed by a brief occupation of a Department of Enjoyment head office (brief cos the occupiers slipped out the back, leaving the cops wandering around looking for them) and impromptu lobbing of parliament.
In some local areas there has been leafleting and advice work, and some work with staff to discourage them from carrying out the attack, but this has been patchy, and staff are under pressure from increasing targets.
WHAT THE JSA MEANS
* Unemployment Benefit cut from 12 to 6 months, and reduced for under 25s. This is despite those in paid work having to more contributions for the privelege.
* Increased pressure on claimants to accept crap jobs and schemes, or whatever the staff think will help getting a job (like losing your dreads), or lose all your benefit (instead of the current 60%).
* Staff cuts of up to 30% and increased pressure, targets, abuse and assault for those still 'lucky' enough to have a job there.
* More intense competition for jobs, forcing down wages, security and conditions.
WHAT TO DO
The JSA increases the arbitrary nature of claiming benefits, so its no longer possible to produce a simple standard example of how to fill in the forms. Its all going to depend a hell of alot more on the person interviewing you and how they think, but its always possible to stand up to them as long as you don't come out and refuse everything they 'offer'. Most appeals under the current rules have been succesful, but how it might work under the JSA we've yet to see, and anyway, how're we supposed to live while waiting?
There's going to have to be pressure on staff, particularly those most prone to hassling us (people sent on JobPlan and Restart courses often find they've been sent by the same person) but we need to be able to do it in a mass, going down the office together, making a fuss, involving the other claimants there, demanding to see the manager. Its always an idea to take a mate with to interviews, for support and as a witness, but if that doesn't work, go back with more.
WE WANT THE WORLD
Its not enough to fight the JSA. Its like saying that things were OK before and we want to just be left alone, which might be OK for those few who manage to get by through having places to go, meetings and demos for entertainment and friends all in the same situation. For most people the existing levels of benefit and hassle are simply unbearable, particularly with housing benefit being whittled away.
In most parts of London there are no longer places to go and organise, to help each other get what we can, let alone to fight to get more. people are being forced off benefits already, and isolated, people will just give up and take whatever jobs there are, even if they're worse off. The hassle of signing on and living in poverty are so much work, its like we're back in the 80s, fighting to save jobs that people would be quite happy to get rid of.
Some people want jobs, because they want to do something, to feel part of a slightly more real world, to have access to other people and interesting technology, and of course to a reasonable amount of money. Fighting for a decent level of benefits and services so that people can get these things without having to sell themselves could actually get somewhere, get people together, but it doesn't look like the state is going to pay up. Its true that a good fight put up by one sector of our class can give strength to others, but that means properly standing up for ourselves, together, whenever someone is hassled, and we need a wider vision that includes our needs for good food, nice clothes, computers.... as well as for the time and freedom to do enjoy them and each other.
COUNCIL GRASS LINES
Local Authorities everywhere have been setting up phone lines for people to grass up people they think might be claiming more than they should do. This has been set up under pressure from central government who have set targets for councils to cut housing benefit fraud, with financial penalties if they don't, and given them a bit of extra cash for the purpose. How the government knows how much 'fraud' there is in each borough is rather questionable, so its basicly another way to penalise those councils they don't like. The phone numbers are being plastered on lamposts and buses everywhere. Give them a call and tell them that Peter Lilley is the only benefit fraud you know, or something more imaginative, but maybe not from your own phone.