PAGE ONE No 50 Spring/Summer 1998 Free/donation 50 not out OVER 13 years & Counter Info has staggered to issue 50. Yet, for an initiative designed to implode with the end of the miners strike that isnÕt bad going. But then as the miners were being bludgeoned by the state & its law, first hand riot reports flooded in from Handsworth & Brixton, the Wapping dispute gave a new meaning to the term, news international. A momentum had grown, and a Ôlong marchÕ through the minefield of struggles and autonomous action had commenced, peaking during the anti-poll tax movement. CI, despite its welcome receipt of reports from all over the world, from claimants to tree-dwellers, has remained centred in central Scotland. The myth is that it has attracted a fabulous and dedicated team of ÔcubÕ reporters, skilled in the arts of desktop publishing & incisive prose. Well, we donÕt want to dispel the mythology attached to CI, too much. LetÕs just say, we acquired the art of the Ôpritt stickÕ just in time the new Mac era while still managing to cram over 4,000 words per issue. In an age when politicos in Scotland and elsewhere have been pushing national self-determination, we remain sceptical, critical and internationalist. We hold to the Ôbig pictureÕ of capitalism, but this is often illustrated by local struggles. As for another 50, maybe not, but we are committed to co-operating with likewise initiatives, globally. A DUD DEAL LABOUR are restructuring the welfare system to benefit the bosses to an extent that the Tories could only dream about. The New Deal attacks the entire working class. Resistance is vital. Under 25Õs unemployed for over 6 months are forced to attend theÒGatewayÓ interviews. They aim to find/ pressurise 40% into an unsubsidised job. All others will be forced into: 1) A low paid temporary six month job. The employer (private or public) gets £60 per week subsidy, and after 6 months can replace the New Dealers with more subsidised workers. 2) Working for a Voluntary Organisation for 6 months, paid benefits plus £15 per week. 3) Working on an Environmental Task Force for 6 months, for benefits plus £15 per week.. 1 day per week training in the above 3 options. 4) Full time education. Mainly for those lacking NVQ level 2. Paid existing benefits. 5) Self employment. Claimants who wonÕt participate, or leave early, face having their JSA benefit cut completely for 2 weeks (4 weeks for a 2nd ÔoffenceÓ) The details for over 24Õs unemployed for over 2 years (starts in June), single parents, and disabled are not yet clear. Compulsion is probable for the unemployed. Labour deny compulsion will hit single parents, but increasing harassment is likely. Ominously, the new Green Paper aims to cut the numbers on Incapacity Benefit. WORKFARE The New Deal ¥ brings the UK nearer to USA-type workfare - compulsory work for a boss for benefits for most unemployed and single parents and for many disabled people. New York City uses 75,000 workfare workers, intended to grow to over half its employees. They have cut over 20,000 unionised jobs. ¥ means more ÒcasualisationÓ - 6 months temporary jobs undermining everyoneÕs wages and conditions. Employers can use the temporary subsidised jobs to Òfilter outÓ activists ¥ aims to impose work discipline and state control. Instead of defying the bulldozers at road protests young unemployed people will be on the litter patrol in the Environmental Task force. They want to socialise people into the rat race - slaving for 50 years to pay for your funeral. ¥ furthers privatisation, with private companies like Reed running the New Deal in Hackney, London. RESISTANCE Resistance is needed at all levels. During the Gateway process claimants should take someone with them to all interviews. Even if forced onto the new Deal, ÒNew DealersÓ can still resist. When the Employment Training scheme operated around1988-90 several ET workers groups sprang up and some successful strikes were held (see CI 25 etc). From July - December 1996 New York workfare workers held over 30 demos demanding proper wages and work benefits. Why Work? IN THE 1930Õs Nazis would have you believe work made you free. Religion praises the work ethic as akin to a cleansing of the soul, and present day bosses and politicians hype work as the salvation of the nation, bringing dignity and prosperity to the masses. Work as we know it under capitalism is nothing short of repetitive, routine, disciplined long hours, low pay and is usually boring. There are clear cut times for workers to work, to play, and to rest. Work it appears is apart from our lives. It is something we do because we have to, not because we want to. Work as we see it need not be seperate from our lives but should be a part of it. It should not involve working long hours, day after day at the same thing. It should involve learning, time to play, should not have limited goals. It should be expansive and of interest. Not all work is going to be enjoyable but unenjoyable work should not last a lifetime! The worldÕs resources belong to everyone. With a system of mutual aid and voluntary co-operation, with no bosses and no profit motive, work could become satisfying and maybe even enjoyable! Capitalism has stolen our humanity and individual self-worth, maybe it is time to steal it back. ENERGY is growing for the 16 May global day of Reclaim the Streets parties. As the G8 world leaders meet in Birmingham that day, people world-wide will be banishing the car, dancing defiantly, transforming private space and creating a world wide web of festivals of resistance. Reclaim the Streets, PO Box 9656, London N4 4JY. 0171 281 4621 [caption for Reclaim the streets photo]