Dole office strike
Socialist Organiser1982 1982-02-25Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 15 →
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DOLE office staff in North West London went on strike on Monday and last week in protest against the present suspensions of - staff for refusing to participate in the racist ethnic monitoring scheme and against the pay offer which offers nothing to most of the lower grade staff.
The : ethnic monitoring scheme, at present on a trial run in 14 offices, basically involves staff assessing the racial origins of claimants in one of three ways-a card assessment system, a visual assessment scheme, whereby the dole clerk assesses the ethnic background of the claimant, and in some cases where, according to the Department of Employment, staff have difficulty in assessing the claimant's background, a straightforward black/white assessment might be considered.
Staff at Hendon and Mill Hill offices, two of those involved in the pilot scheme, have been threatened with suspension if they refuse to carry out these checks, a move which prompted staff in other offices to walk out in solidarity.
It is absolutely essential that management does not get away with such victimisation, given the pathetic response of the union leadership. Readers and supporters of Socialist Organiser should get down to one of the 14 offices and help in mass leafleting.
Organise for a levy if you are a Civil Servant, and in case anyone gets suspended make sure the matter is raised in your union branch.
A CPSA MEMBER