Unemployed Workers' Union formed

Unemployed Workers' Union formed

By James Basle

SYDNEY — With more than one in four young people out of work and the federal Labor government attacking the rights of unemployed people through schemes such as Newstart, unemployed people in Sydney have formed an unemployed workers' union (SUWU).

The group has around 50 members and has already organised a successful rally against Newstart and welfare cutbacks. It is seeking government-funded job creation projects and the replacement of Newstart with a guaranteed minimum income.

It will organise actions at Department of Social Security offices and other venues. Other activists are also trying to start an unemployed group in the outer-western suburb of Bonnyrigg, and there are moves for national coordination of unemployed groups. For information on SUWU, phone 389 1700. n

From GLW issue 26