Decent Work Dignified Lives: But what do we mean by decent work?

On the 18th October the STUC is organising a March and Rally in Glasgow under the strap line ‘Decent Work, Dignified Lives: Scotland needs a Pay Rise’ which adds to a national day of action across the UK. Coming as it does in ‘challenge poverty week’ a key message coming out of this march is around the need to raise pay and benefit levels and ensure a good level of income for people in Scotland.

However, we haven’t simply called our march ‘Scotland needs a Pay Rise’ instead we have talked about the need for ‘Decent Work’. This term isn’t simply a nice catch phrase, it speaks to a much wider concept that incorporates, but goes beyond, rates of pay and looks instead more widely at social justice issues and how the labour market functions.

‘Decent Work’ is a meaningful term that is used in international treaties and is underpinned by concepts developed by the UN and International Labour Organisation to improve workers lives and the functioning of the global economy and contributes to the fight to eradicate poverty.

The International Labour Organisation describes ‘Decent Work’ in the following way:

“Decent work sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives. It involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.”

In this way Decent Work is not simply work that pays enough for people to escape poverty but is work which is safe, which is regular and can be relied upon, thus removing the stress of imminent job loss or irregular hours. It is work that offers development and training opportunities, where workers can organise and where workplace democracy exists in a meaningful way, allowing workers a degree of autonomy and control around decisions that affect their every day working lives.

The concept of decent work underpins the Millennium Development Goals particularly MDG1: “Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger”. In the past much of the work and the focus in this area has been directed at the extreme abuse and hardship that we see in the developing world, however, with attention turning to the Post-2015 Development Agenda there is a concerted effort to place ‘Decent Work’ front and centre in the drive to eradicate extreme poverty, but also to take a broader view of where the ‘Decent Work’ agenda applies, including within more developed economies.

It is clear that much could be done to improve the UK economy and the way the labour market functions. Across our economy we have seen a number of worrying developments: growth in insecure work, including zero hours contracts, out-sourcing, and an increase in agency work; wages for the lowest paid either falling or stagnating, while wages at the top of the income spectrum continue to grow; enforcement around the minimum wage practically non-existent; enforcement of health and safety rules increasingly under-threat; and anti-trade union laws designed to restrict activity and limit workplace democracy and the coverage of collective bargaining agreements.

Many of these issues existed within our economy before the global crisis of 2008 and whilst this crisis and subsequent austerity pursued with vigour by the UK Government have exacerbated the inequalities in our labour market, and increased the plight of working people, and those struggling to find work, many of the building blocks for an economy focused on low road economic outcomes rather than high road ‘Decent Work’ objectives have been in place for some time.

The two graphs below give some idea of how workers were fairing in our economy even before the economic crash, the first showing wages as a proportion of GDP from 1955 to 2008 and the second showing the growth in weekly earnings for workers at different points of the income distribution scale from 1970 to 2010. Taken together these graphs paint a worrying picture of how our economy functions, and give some idea of how we find ourselves in a situation where workers are turning to ‘pay day loan’ companies or foodbanks, and why even if we do begin to see the economy recover, things need to change for workers to benefit.

GB weekly earnings, full-time employees, constant 2009 prices, controlled for RPI inflation, £ per week

Source Resolution Foundation analysis, ONS, ASHE, indexed using RPI http://www.resolutionfoundation.org/media/media/downloads/Growth_without_gain_-_Web.pdf


The STUC’s work on the referendum, ‘A just Scotland,’ helped put issues of social justice front and centre in the debate about the sort of Scotland that we want to see. For us, this debate was never going to end with the casting of votes on the 18th September, but rather remains a rallying point for all on the left and a challenge to kept working and striving towards the sort of country where ‘Decent Work’ for all is a reality. Indeed we are running a major conference on the 15 October which will look at issues of how our economy functions and will pick up on ideas embedded within the ‘Decent Work’ agenda.

The ‘Decent Work, Dignified Lives’ march on the 18th October is a focal point for all those who want to create a Just Scotland, tackle poverty and put ‘Decent Work’ at the heart of the political agenda. More information on attending the march can be found here.

Helen Martin

STUC

What can be done about the Bedroom tax? – The role of Discretionary Housing Payments

The STUC is clear that the Bedroom Tax is an unfair, immoral and frankly absurd policy that will do nothing to improve the housing crisis that exists in this country but will heap misery on some of the most vulnerable people in our society, many of whom were already bearing the brunt of the Government’s austerity policies.

STUC is supporting an array of anti-bedroom tax campaigns across Scotland and is clear that there are a number of ‘asks’ we can make of our politicians at all levels to improve the situation including: ‘no evictions’ policies from councils; reclassification of rooms so the bedroom tax is not incurred; and of course a repeal of the ghastly policy by the Westminster Government.

While undoubtedly all the above approaches are important and will form part of the STUC’s future campaigning work in this area, there was one issue that we believe needs more attention, particularly in the run up to our Bedroom Tax Conference on Saturday 29^th June in Edinburgh. That is: Discretionary Housing Payments.

 It’s the STUC’s view that Discretionary Housing Payments are too often overlooked in the debate about the Bedroom Tax and are an important tool at the disposal of both Councils and the Scottish Government to mitigate it.

Importantly they also stop families falling into debt. Even on the most optimistic assessment people with just one additional room would be £750 worse off or in debt by 2014; £1500 by 2015 and £2250 by 2016. Frightening isn’t it....This is why the STUC believes that keeping families out of debt (and therefore using Discretionary Housing Payments more effectively) needs to play a key role in our anti-bedroom tax campaign.

This blog aims to tell you all you need to know about Discretionary Housing Payments but the STUC is also calling on all those concerned about the bedroom tax to find out if your own Council is topping up its Discretionary Housing Payment fund.

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are regulated by the DWP with funding provided by the UK Treasury.  STUC’s understanding of DHPs is as follows:

• They are made available on application to individuals in receipt of Housing Support for people who find themselves in difficulties for a range of reasons
• The application is made to the local authority
• Can be used for those in difficulty as a consequence of the change to occupancy rules (Bedroom Tax), Benefits cap etc.
• Each local authority receives funding from the UK Government and may, if it wishes, supplement that amount by up to 150%.  i.e. If a council received £1 million in DHP from the Government it would be able to legally spend £2.5 million on DHP overall
• STUC has not undertaken a full analysis but believes that councils tend not to supplement the basic figure and in some recent years have even underspent their budgets
• Councils are given a fair degree of discretion in how they administer the system and for whom.
• Although the DHP is by application, the UK government explicitly states that individuals can be contacted and encouraged to apply.  They can also apply by phone rather than filling out a form.
• The UK government increased Discretionary Housing Payments substantially last year to partially deal with the fall-out from their disastrous welfare policy.
• The current UK figures for DHP are (approx.) £160 million in 2013-2014, and £130 million in 2014-2015.
• Scotland received an increase in DHP for 2013-2014 (but Scottish Government believes it should have been higher as a proportion of overall total).  DHP in Scotland now stands at £10 million.  This means that the overall capacity for DHP which can be legally spent in Scotland is £25 million.  An increase of around £22 million since last year.  Most of this could be used to mitigate the bedroom tax.
• As the providers of 80% of local government funding it is open to the Scottish Government to provide this money.

BUTWhere does the money come from? 

STUC recognises that budgets are under strain.  Scottish Government has received serial cuts and these have been passed on to local government. The Council Tax freeze further pressurises local budgets. 

HOWEVER
Are we not agreed that the Bedroom Tax presents a particular moral attack which should be opposed? STUC believes that the money should be found and that it should found prior to the Scottish Government’s budget for 2014-2015 being debated in the autumn of this year.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Contact your Local Council and make sure that they are a) making tenants aware of Discretionary Housing Payments and b) providing additional resources to fund their Discretionary Housing Payments from within their council budget. 

Welfare Reform Measures and cuts to be introduced from April 2013

Below is a summary of the benefit changes that come into force this month   

Benefit cap:  As part of the Welfare Reform Act, from April 15 2013, there will be a cap on the amount of benefits a working-age household can receive, capped at the level of the average earnings of a working family.

Council Tax Benefit:  Council Tax Benefit is to be replaced by localised support for Council Tax. Local authorities will set up new schemes to support people in their own areas within a 10% reduced budget. The Scottish Government has announced that it will provide some protection for local authorities.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment: The Government is to start replacing DLA with a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for people of working age. The government is hoping for a 20% reduction in expenditure by 2017 by bringing in this process. All working-age claimants already claiming DLA will eventually be reassessed for PIP.

Housing Benefit: In England, Wales and Scotland: Size criteria will apply in the social rented sector (e.g. council and housing association properties) replicating the size criteria that applies to Housing Benefit claimants in the private rented sector under the Local Housing Allowance rules. This means that people living in houses larger than they need (under-occupiers) will have to move to somewhere smaller or make up the difference in rent because their Housing Benefit will be reduced with a:

·        14% cut in Housing Benefit for those who under-occupy by one bedroom
·        25% cut in Housing Benefit for those who by two or more bedrooms

Local Housing Allowance rates: LHA rates will be increased in line with the Consumer Price Index instead of the market rents in each area. The connection with actual rents will be lost.

Universal Credit: The current complex system of working-age benefits and Tax Credits is to be replaced by a new benefit called Universal Credit. National introduction will start in October 2013. In April 2013, the Department for Work and Pensions, working with HM Revenue and Customs and selected local councils, will launch its Pathfinder project to introduce Universal Credit to claimants within certain areas of the North-West of England. This “pathfinder” stage aims to ensure that Universal Credit is ready to go live across the rest of Great Britain later in 2013 and Northern Ireland in 2014.

Dave Moxham
STUC

No to Austerity: Yes to Jobs and Solidarity in Europe

The STUC is supporting the ETUC ‘s day of action. Today sees workers mobilising and standing up against austerity and for a new social compact in Europe. We want to see a real social dialogue, an economic policy that fosters quality jobs, economic solidarity between countries and social justice.

Austerity measures are dragging Europe into economic stagnation and recession. Growth has stopped and unemployment is rising inexorably. Cuts to salaries and social protection are attacking the European social model, worsening inequalities and fostering injustice.

Youth unemployment is one of the most damaging consequences of the obsession with the discredited economics of austerity. More than half of young people in Greece and Spain are without work, more than a third in Italy and Portugal, and 27% in Cyprus.

Currently in Spain more than13 million people (27% of the population) are living below the poverty line and more than 2,200,000 children are growing up in poor households. The extent of this crisis is severe and it is absolutely clear that further austerity measures cannot be pursued in this context without serious and long-term damage to society.

Yet the architects of austerity have no idea and no plan of how to rebuild economic growth – they are simply focused on keeping financial markets happy without regard to the social and economic costs.

This is why trade unions across Europe are taking action today under the banner of the ETUC. Workers are paying a steep price for the crisis and the austerity measures that have been imposed on them while it remains business as usual for corporations and financial institutions across Europe. We need to stop tax fraud and put an end to tax havens and tax competition between countries. Proposals like the financial transaction tax also have an important role to play to help repair the damage of casino capitalism.

To find out more about this action sign up to the ETUC facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CESETUC     

Or follow the campaign on twitter: #14Nov2012

Also sign the ITUC’s pledge against austerity: http://act.equaltimes.org/en/node/144 

Helen Martin
STUC

Recent changes to immigration rules and how they affect families

The Coalition Government recently changed the rules for people wishing to bring their family into Britain. These changes affect migrant workers but they equally affect British nationals who have married people from outside the EEA and are bringing their partner into the UK for this first time, or who are returning from abroad with their family.

The changes are designed to ensure that British nationals do not need to claim benefits to support their family. It is important to realise that this does not represent a policy change and there were always provisions in place to make sure that this was the case. What this rule changes does, however, is severely limit the ability of low paid workers to have a family life as they place an earnings bar on the right to have your family with you in Britain.

The new rules mean that only someone earning more than £18,600 a year can bring their partner into the UK. This rises to £22,400 for a partner and a child, with an additional £2,400 for each further child sponsored. The new rules also mean that only the income of the British citizen (or visa holder) will be considered. This means that you could be married to a billionaire, an oil tycoon, or another low paid worker whose income would bring you over the threshold, but still deemed unable to support your family without recourse to benefits under the new rules.

This rule change is extremely concerning and seems to be an attack on the fundamental Human Right to have a family life for low paid workers.

These changes were recently debated in the House of Lords and this debate gives a useful overview of this issue.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldhansrd/text/121023-0002.htm#12102355000231  


Helen Martin
STUC

Stay of execution and promise of a great legal battle for refugees threatened with eviction and absolute destitution

Below is an update from the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees outlining the result of yesterday’s hearings into the forced evictions of asylum seeking families in Glasgow. The STUC has been supporting this campaign and is appalled that our asylum system works in such a way that people are systematically and routinely left destitute on our streets. We are glad that yesterday some progress was made in tackling this issue, although much is still to be done. We are also glad that the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees will be joining the march for a Future that Works on Saturday.


Refugees and campaigners who attended today's first court hearings in Court 14 in Glasgow Sheriff Court brought by the YMCA to evict the remaining refused refugees, witnessed a remarkable event. While a number of undefended cases went through on the nod, 8 of the cases were defended and the case for eviction challenged. The first effect was to extend the cases into December, giving the refugees at least a stay of execution, the longer and more significant outcome could be to develop a group of test cases which will challenge the legality of the use of absolute destitution as an arm of government policy. Some of the cases were defended by an advocate, an unusual enough event in the eviction courtroom, but an indication of how seriously the refugees' lawyers intend to pursue these cases.


As one of the legal firms involved put it, in more measured terms:

"Latta and Co. Solicitors represented several clients who were faced with eviction at Glasgow Sheriff Court today. The cases were successfully continued to consider challenges raised to the lawfulness of the eviction proceedings. Additional challenges were also raised in respect of potential human rights breaches involving destitution issues. These will be considered at an evidential hearing which has been set for December. The clients are allowed to remain in the accommodation until the matters are fully considered."


Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees and numerous other organisations will continue to campaign until our society is rid of this barbarity. Not only out of sympathy with refugees but for ourselves too for what governments can get away with doing to demonised refugees today they can do to the demonised "undeserving poor' tomorrow.

Jock Morris
Chair
GCtWR

Black Workers are suffering because of austerity and will be marching on 20th Oct.

The STUC is having its 16th Annual Black Workers Conference this weekend in Glasgow. Black Workers from a variety of workplaces and sectors across Scotland will be gathering to discuss issues that are important to them in their workplaces and in their daily lives.


The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Our Scotland ....Beyond Colour’ which represents the sort of Scotland we want to create. Too often we hear politicians saying ‘we’re all in this together’ but this phrase rings hollow. We want to see a Scotland were everyone truly is valued, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality or disability and we want to make sure that Black and Ethnic Minority people feel that their contribution to our country is recognised.

As chair of the Black Workers Committee and from work within my own union, I know that Black Workers are suffering in the current climate. Too often we hear stories of Black Workers being the last to receive their shift allocations, and the first to have their hours cut. We also know that racist bullying and harassment is a part of many workers daily lives and that tensions in workplaces often rise as cuts begin to bite.

It’s not right that Black Workers should have to bear the brunt of this crisis. Nor should we allow the Government’s policies of austerity to divide us. All workers Black or White, old or young, public or private sector, need to stand up to this Government’s ideological and damaging economic policy.

That’s why I’m marching on the 20th October, and why I’ll be proud to carry the STUC Black Workers’ banner. It’s our Scotland and we need to fight for it.

Nazerin Wardrop – Chair, STUC Black Workers’ Committee

In Support of Aid

The STUC is supporting Mark Hendrick’s Private Members Bill to legislate for the commitment to spend 0.7% of UK Gross National Income on international development. The second reading of his Bill will take place on Friday 13 July in Westminster.

This Bill is being introduced by a Labour MP despite a pledge in the Coalition Agreement to introduce legislation within the first session of this Parliament. The Coalition now only pledges to legislate by 2015 – which suggests that the pledge is in the process of being dropped, as quietly as the Government can manage.

The Government, however, still maintains that they will reach the 0.7% target in the next financial year, even though this requires increasing the aid budget by a third in a single year.

The STUC is therefore calling on trade unionists and those with an interest in anti-poverty work to back Mark Hendrick’s Private Members Bill which puts this spending commitment on a legislative footing.

We are asking you to contact your MP and encourage them to attend the debate on the 13 July and support the Bill. Contact details for your MP can be found at http://www.theyworkforyou.com by simply putting in your postcode.

In times of economic hardship it is easy to forget our wider responsibilities in the world. But the UK has a duty to support developing nations and a key part of this is the 0.7% spending commitment.

This pledge was in all three major Westminster parties’ manifestos, so it is right that we should hold them to it. But it’s also about making sure that governments in the global south know the level of aid that they can rely on over years to come, which enables them to plan ahead and make the most of the money that we provide.

Helen Martin - STUC

Songs for Social Justice: Gil Scott-Heron - A Message to the Messengers

Speaking ahead of the Songs for Social Justice Festival on Thursday, SweetS (Northern Xposure) said, “Music has always been at the heart of many civil rights movements and revolutions, and it also acts as a vehicle for different cultures and faiths to have some common ground. It is something that reaches so far into our very being and existence that it resonates with each and every one of us on a profound level, indeed even before we can say our A, B, C, D we find it is easier to communicate with a harmony or a bit of melody.  Therefore it is NRNXPO's mission to promote music for social justice in all form's and across all genre's.”

Rap and Hip Hop started out in the 1970’s as a way of communicating a social and political message while having a good time.

Gil Scott-Heron is often credited with being the Godfather of Rap, he was rapping to music by 1970, some time before Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa created Hip Hop as a means of bringing communities together, offering young people a route out of gangs and encouraging social harmony.

Gil Scott-Herons’ lyrics focussed on the social and political issues of the time. His music still resonates today and he can still find a new fan-base amongst young people. His 2010 album I’m New Here, was remixed by Jamie Smith of The XX and released in 2011 as We’re New Here.

It is difficult to choose just the one track from Scott-Heron’s extensive, educational and inspiring output, obvious choices would be The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, The Bottle or Johannesburg. However, today’s choice comes from his 1994 album Spirits. A Message to the Messengers calls on rappers, musicians and young people to remember their history and heritage and use this knowledge and understanding to promote positive social change.

Gil Scott-Heron - A Message to the Messengers

Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -

o      Thursday 26^th January

o      STUC Centre, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

o      6.45pm – midnight

o      Tickets £8/£4 - Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100

Songs for Social Justice: SOPA / PIPA Blackout Day Protest Songs

This blog was written by John Powles at the Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust. STUC Unions Into Schools and the Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust have worked in partnership on the Songs for Social Justice Festival. We would like to thank John for writing this blog.

On Wednesday 18th January 2012 many internet sites intentionally blacked out for the day in protest against the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) legislation now being advanced in the USA. The day of protest has been judged a success by some of the major organisations involved. Wikipedia stated "More than 162 million people saw our message asking if you could imagine a world without free knowledge. You said no. You shut down Congress's switchboards. You melted their servers. From all around the world your messages dominated social media and the news. Millions of people have spoken in defence of a free and open internet." Meanwhile Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg urged people to protest saying "Tell your congressmen you want them to be pro-internet. We can't let poorly thought out laws get in the way of the internet's development. Facebook opposes Sopa and Pipa, and we will continue to oppose any laws that will hurt the internet."

Of course the internet with sites like YouTube, Facebook and the rest is a powerful tool for distributing activism against social injustice, including using songs as a vehicle for protests. Needless to say the SOPA / PIPA protests have led to the creating and posting of songs. The following examples demonstrate just how easy it can be to make protesting voices heard – no expensive equipment is required, no record industry moguls have to be grovelled to, no media pawns of government have to be persuaded – just do it and post it.

The first sample uses the age old method for creating a song of social justice – the adoption and adaption of an existing well known tune and lyric – in this case Don Maclean’s American Pie. Created by LaughPong, The Day The LOLcats Died - #SOPA #PIPA Protest Song [http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/17/the-day-the-lolcats-died/] includes some pertinent lyrics:

”Why, why are laws a thing you can buy? / They got paid off, should be laid off, re-election denied / Our web means more than lawyers, lobbies and lies / So speak up before the internet dies / Speak up before the internet dies”.

LaughPong - The Day The LOLcats Died

Finally in this brief selection Stop the SOPA Song is just a guy in his room with an acoustic guitar and some very clever lyrics:

Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -

o      Thursday 26^th January

o      STUC Centre, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

o      6.45pm – midnight

o      Tickets £8/£4 - Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100

Songs for Social Justice: The Projects – Anne is a Socialist

There are regular articles in the press which claim that there is no political music around that reflect the times in which we find ourselves. This just doesn’t play out, though it is obvious that there is a void of political song making the charts these days, the charts themselves are not the focal point they once were. Ways of promoting, accessing and distributing new music has changed dramatically in recent years. The internet has been the key factor in this stage in the evolution of music distribution and access.

The internet and social media has also played a role in the uprisings across the Middle East, in the anti-capitalist protest movements which are now galvanizing young people across the globe and in the democratisation of news dissemination. Activists around the world are blogging and organising from the comfort of their own armchair, they are also taking to the streets armed with a camera, a mobile phone and a laptop and then distributing their own first hand accounts of what they deem to be headline news to a global audience.

The video for ‘Anne is a Socialist’ captures footage of protests which we may recognise from our TVs and from citizen journalist postings on the internet, the footage is edited to provide an unflinching visual account of the song’s lyrics and music. The Project’s singer tells Anne’s story via a webcam. Combined, the audio-visuals act as a strong proponent of the protest movements and provide an angry portrayal of the power that the protestors are struggling against.

This contemporary political song is absolutely a reflection of the times; it is a song very much for this moment.

Sadly, Graeme Wilson the singer, lyricist and driving force behind The Projects passed away in December 2011. Ricky Maymi, guitarist with The Projects said “I think this [the Songs for Social Justice festival] is a great thing for his song to be a part of! I'm honoured to be a part of it!”


The Projects – Anne is a Socialist

Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -

o      Thursday 26^th January

o      STUC Centre, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

o      6.45pm – midnight

o      Tickets £8/£4 - Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100

Songs for Social Justice: Rev Hammer - Freeborn John: The Story of John Lilburne – The Leader of The Levellers

The Songs for Social Justice blogs have so far looked at individual songs on the subject of social justice, often stating that the bands have a canon of fitting material but offering a reason as to why that particular song has been chosen. Occasionally a great album is released with a common theme of social justice, but seldom does an artist release a biographical album about a historical figure.  In 1997, Rev Hammer released such an album.

The story is set during the English Civil War, with a particular focus on one of the main characters of that period – John Lilburne, the leader of The Levellers. John Lilburne struggled against tyranny in the pursuit of equality, fairness and the freedom of speech. The album is a biography set to music and lyrics and is based on Pauline Gregg’s biographical book ‘Freeborn John’. 

Rev Hammer worked with a number of artists on this album, with many taking on particular roles. Eddi Reader, The Levellers, Justin Sullivan and Maddy Prior all make appearances.

Rev Hammer - Freeborn John: The Story of John Lilburne – The Leader of The Levellers

The full album can be listened to here:

• http://www.youtube.com/user/levellinglilburne/videos

Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -

o      Thursday 26^th January

o      STUC Centre, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

o      6.45pm – midnight

o      Tickets £8/£4 - Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100

Songs for Social Justice: Michael Franti & Spearhead – I Know I’m Not Alone

Michael Franti is best known as a political activist and musician. His song ‘Television: The Drug of the Nation’, was widely hailed as a groundbreaking mix of political rap/rock. He originally recorded it in 1988 with his first group The Beatnigs and then re-recorded it with his next band The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. U2 brought the song to prominence by using it as the intro on their Zoo TV tour. In 1994 he formed a new band - Spearhead which had more of a soul and funk influence, while remaining political.

In 2004 Michael Franti decided to visit the Middle East to see with his own eyes, the human cost of war. He undertook the trip with a group of friends, a camera and his acoustic guitar. On returning to the USA he edited the footage into a film and encouraged fans to organise screenings in cinemas, in community halls and in their homes.

‘I Know I’m Not Alone’ is that award winning documentary, the filmmaking process resulted in the album ‘Yell Fire!’ which was also the soundtrack to the film. The title of the film is also the name of one of the tracks on the album.

Michael Franti & Spearhead – I Know I’m Not Alone (Song)

I Know I’m Not Alone (Full length film)

 

I Know I’m Not Alone (website, with lyrics and background info):

• http://www.iknowimnotalone.com

Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -

o      Thursday 26^th January

o      STUC Centre, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

o      6.45pm – midnight

o      Tickets £8/£4 - Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100

Songs for Social Justice: Patti Smith - People Have The Power

Today's blog has been written by Paul Simpson, singer and lyricist with The Wild Swans. We would like to thank Paul for his support throughout this project.

Perhaps if Robert Johnson had met Jesus, the Buddha or the prophet Muhammad at the Rosedale crossroads instead of the devil, optimism and positivity in the lyrics of rock songs wouldn’t now be considered quite so Sir Cliff-tastically uncool. Lennon’s caustic anger always trumped McCartney’s hokey nostalgia, than that’s just the way it is, but occasionally a rock song offers hope without making us cringe and such is the case with Patti Smith’s People Have The Power. Those four potent words are about as simple and direct and powerful a message as it’s possible to sing without sounding hopelessly naïve. There’s so much conviction in Patti’s delivery that by the time she reaches the pre-chorus refrain of  ‘The power to dream, to rule, to wrestle the world from fools, it's decreed the people rule’ she’s almost levitating with excitement because she knows she just seconds away from the chorus and absolute connection.

Universal truths can be an extremely effective weapon in song, just listen to Give Peace A Chance and All You Need Is Love. OK, the latter’s slightly naïve message was flawed but I suppose All You Need Is Love, Food and Shelter didn’t scan so well. People Have The Power seeks to inspire and fuel change, and what’s more, not just for the ‘stick-it-to-the-man’ hippy-dippy sake of it, but in a constructive, focussed, ‘we outnumber you, stand aside, we want out’ way.  

Ironically the William Blake inspired verses of this anti war song - all shepherds and soldiers sharing visions of peace beneath the stars, appeared shortly before the so-called ‘liberation of Kuwait’ and the Persian Gulf War. My favourite line of all in the song is ‘People have the power - to redeem the work of fools’.

For me Patti Smith’s simple message of optimism and the desire for change through union has never been more relevant than in these ill-governed times. 

Paul Simpson.

Patti Smith - People Have The Power

Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -

o      Thursday 26^th January

o      STUC Centre, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

o      6.45pm – midnight

o      Tickets £8/£4 - Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100

Songs for Social Justice: The Spatial AKA Orchestra – Ghost Planet

We can’t leave this song out. The updated classic by “General” Jerry Dammers, probably one of the most potent and poignant songs of the 1980’s and beyond, this version warns of a Ghost Planet, if we don’t address world issues. This band are an absolute treat to see live playing ska, funk, reggae and soul, I for one look forward to them cutting some vinyl in the studio.

(Terry Anderson STUC)

Jerry Dammers and The Spatial A.K.A. Orchestra
Ghost Town / Ghost Planet (Lyrics)

“This Town Is Coming Like A Ghost Town
All The Buildings Have Been Torn Down
This Place Is Coming Like A Drag Place
A Dead Place
Wipe The Smile From A Child's Face

This World Is Coming Like A Ghost Planet
On This Here Planet
If You Treat Man Like Mouse He Will Breed
Treat Man Like Fly And He Will Swarm


This World Is Coming Like A Rubbish Tip
It Coming Like A Cesspit
That's Feeding, Feeding On It's Own Vomit
Coming Like A Rubbish Dump
In Need Of A Stomach Pump

This Place Is Coming Like A Disgrace
A Child's Smile Turned Into A Ghost Place

This Place was a Back Stabbing Greedy Corrupt Place
What, What Is That, What Is That Sweet Sickly Smell
Is It Heaven, Turned Into Hell ?”

The Spatial AKA Orchestra – Ghost Planet

Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -

o      Thursday 26^th January

o      STUC Centre, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

o      6.45pm – midnight

o      Tickets £8/£4 - Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100

Songs for Social Justice: The Nightwatchman – The Road I Must Travel

Alongside fellow musician Serj Tankian, Tom Morello founded ‘Axis of Justice’ in 2002 to bring together musicians, music fans and grassroots organisations to fight for global social justice. Recently Morello has played short sets at Occupy camps across the USA and Europe

Tom Morello is best known for his work with the politically charged Rage Against the Machine. He also played guitar with Audioslave and is currently guitarist and lyricist with Street Sweeper Social Club and The Nightwatchman.

It is a difficult task to choose just one single track from across Morello’s industrious output of songs about social justice. This song is from The Nightwatchman’s early days when Morello used this moniker to record and play as a solo acoustic artist. ‘The Road I Must Travel’ has an excellent accompanying video in which Morello is surrounded by pictures of his inspirations, the footage also includes quotes from a number of those figures.

The Nightwatchman – The Road I Must Travel

Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -

o      Thursday 26^th January

o      STUC Centre, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

o      6.45pm – midnight

o      Tickets £8/£4 - Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100

Songs for Social Justice: The Clash – 1977

36 years ago, there was a revolution in pop music. The popular protest songs of the 1960’s had faded. Young people growing up in multi-cultural working class neighbourhoods found the problems of society cut across ethnicities, that the root causes of unemployment, poverty and lack of progress could not and should not be blamed on BME and migrant communities. The Queen’s Silver Jubilee loomed. A referendum on Scottish devolution was on the horizon. Glam Rock, Prog Rock and Showaddaywadday ruled the charts – the bands had nothing to say.

The music and charts changed dramatically when a bunch of teenagers from London decided to over-throw their older peers and create a new sound which was influenced by the rebellious socio-political messages found in reggae. The new music came to be known as punk. It rejected conforming to the class structures, its ethos was D.I.Y. and the records they listened to were British and Jamaican reggae.

The Clash was the most obvious band to have had reggae influences in their music and they are credited as having brought the political edge to punk. Their music and songs were a reflection of their times and personal experiences, their messages connected with young people.

The Clash are often cited as being inspirations to countless other musicians, they gave many bands their first opportunity to tour and play in front of large audiences. The Clash broke down the superficial barrier between band and audience. Their music was innovative and changed with each album. Their song ‘1977’ railed against unemployment, the lack of opportunities for young working class people and the Jubilee.

Disastrously, 1977 sounds as relevant today as it was 35 years ago.

The Clash – 1977

Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -

o      Thursday 26^th January

o      STUC Centre, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

o      6.45pm – midnight

o      Tickets £8/£4 - Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100