December 4th, day of action
against workfare. The protests are growing the actions do hurt their profits, so keep up the pressure. More information at The Void and Boycott workfare.
Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer’s use of workfare
hit public awareness when they announced 1400
new placements in their stores and a benchmark of 2% of the
workforce to be unpaid. But this isn’t the brand’s first
encounter with workfare. Despite their CEO earning
over £2 million a year, they are also profiting from unpaid work
through another
workfare scheme in Scotland, which targets single parents. It’s
likely their involvement is much more widespread – we also heard
from someone sent on a 4 week placement at one of their outlet
stores.
Last time we took action, M&S was
forced to disable comments on their Facebook Page. Several pickets
and walks of shame will pay a visit to their stores this week. Please
feel free to contact them with your thoughts as well:
By email: Using
their online form
By phone: See this useful list of numbers
Facebook: Marks and Spencer
Twitter: @marksandspencer
By phone: See this useful list of numbers
Facebook: Marks and Spencer
Twitter: @marksandspencer
B&M Stores
In May, B&M won
an award from the workfare industry for its involvement. But the
reality of this involvement is harsh. One
person has reported: “B&M stores have started using
workfare Jan 2013. Receiving free labour and stopping overtime for
employees with contracts. The people forced to do this free labour
are not happy and neither are the employees!” Boycott Workfare has
had reports of workfare at B&M stores in Bangor, Glasgow,
Manchester, Southend and Northern Ireland. Show them they can’t
keep cutting their wages bill with unpaid work!
By email: enquiries@bmstores.co.uk or
customerservices@bmstores.co.uk
By phone: 0151 728 5400 or more numbers here.
Facebook: B&M Stores
Twitter: @bmstores
By phone: 0151 728 5400 or more numbers here.
Facebook: B&M Stores
Twitter: @bmstores
Asda
Asda has been at the heart of workfare
in the UK, helping
the government relaunch its “Work Experience” scheme last
year. We have had reports that one of their stores in Manchester uses
disabled people on workfare on the night shift. They are frank about
their involvement here.
