Anti-austerity’s frontline fighters

Volunteer benefits adviser John Kelly has got used to seeing people on the breadline in distress because their welfare has been stopped or sanctioned, but that doesn’t make it any easier in the heart of the winter.

Take Christmastime for example. “While most people are enjoying the Christmas festivities, many of our clients have no relief from the crushing effect of benefit sanctions. Presents for children, family and friends, as well as treats and big meals are a far off possibility,” explained Kelly, from the office of the Tyneside Centre Against Unemployment (TCAU).

“That’s the reality for some of the people who come to us. The holiday season makes their situation seem particularly stark, but the fact is that this government’s insistence on targeting those who can least afford it through the cruel and needless benefit sanctions regime hits people all year round. That’s why we staff this office five days a week throughout the year.”

Benefit sanctions

In January 2016 the TCAU moved premises and began sharing offices with the Northumberland and Tyne and Wear branch of Unite Community, where Kelly is branch secretary. Since then it has become a centre for the fightback against draconian benefit sanctions, attacks on public services and rogue employers that inflict damage on some of the region’s poorest and most vulnerable residents.

Over the past year more than 130 people have been assisted with their benefit claims, while the seven trained Unite Community volunteers who staff the centre have also represented 15 people at tribunal – winning 13 of the cases.

But the centre does more than that. Unite Community memberships have gone from 150 members in November 2015 to 350 today. Members have been involved with the Sports Direct campaign, Action for Rail events and mobilising against the far right. They have also secured a plaque to commemorate local International Brigade volunteers, who fought against the facist General Franco during the Spanish Civil War.

The centre has recently been awarded Big Lottery funds to run the Tyneside for Positive Finance project, with Unite Community members travelling to different areas in the region to drop leaflets and organise local community events to raise awareness about unscrupulous payday lenders.

Unite Community member Paul Dawson put the bid in for the project and is managing the campaign.

Credit unions

“We’re telling as many people as possible in the Tyneside area about the existence of credit unions and warning people of the dangers of doorstep lending and loan sharks. We’re hoping to get people involved on a one-to-one basis about any debt problems they have,” Dawson said.

“It is ironic that part of the reason for the growth of this horrible practice is the proliferation of benefit sanctions, so not only are we fighting sanctions but their effects further down the line as well.”

Unite Community regional coordinator John Coan praised the efforts of volunteers and said that Unite Community will soon be expanding its presence in Middlesbrough along the same lines.

“[Tyne and Wear members] have set a brilliant example to other working class communities fighting against attacks on the welfare state and have worked tirelessly over the last 12 months,” Coan said.

“By being encouraged to think and act collectively many of the people the centre has supported are now taking an active part in the life of the branch and the wider union movement. We intend to build on this success this year by offering similar support from our Unite office in Middlesbrough.”

For more information about joining Unite Community in the North East, contact John.Coan@unitetheunion.org or click here.

Pics by Mark Pinder