Hamilton Committee of/for the Unemployed

Year Published:  1978
Resource Type:  Organization
Cx Number:  CX782

A committee that has been established in order to organize problems of isolation, depression, insulting and degrading treatment by government officials and bureaucratic red tape encountered at Welfare Manpower and Unemployment Insurance offices.

Abstract: 
The Hamilton Committee of/for the Unemployed formed in March of this year to defend the right to work and live. A press release of May 1978 states: "The Committee was established in order to organize problems of isolation, depression, insulting and degrading treatment by government officials and bureaucratic red tape encountered at Welfare Manpower and Unemployment Insurance offices."
To date, this committee has: 1) launched a petition campaign calling for an end to the active job search requirement, to the interview system, to the red tape of waiting for checks, asking for increases in unemployment insurance benefits and welfare payments, full coverage between jobs and for replacement of the present practice of the unemployment of the present practice of the Unemployment Insurance Commission and Welfare office by a system of services to the unemployed;
2) published two newsletters containing information on their activities and actions; 3) actively supported strikes and participated in demonstrations; and 4) presented a brief to the Hamilton city council calling for 0 percent unemployment.
One immediate purpose of the committee is to "deal with the personal effects of unemployment: the psychological damage and emotional strain stemming from isolation, depression and alienation - a deep sense of not belonging since they have been deliberately and systemically excluded from society by government and big business allies." Another goal is to create direct links between the employed and the unemployed. The committee believes it is vital for these two forces to work together to confront the forces which do not work in their favour.
The committee is made up of a cross-section of the community and its structure is designed to allow for freedom of speech and to give those who do not normally get a chance to be heard, the opportunity to speak -- that is, they do not function according to Robert's Rules of Order.

This organization no longer exists.
This abstract was published in the Connexions Digest in 1978.