It’s been a busy couple of weeks, and I noticed there have been a few resources I have come back to several times to for friends, Fellow Workers and others, so I thought I would share them.
Please note that while this was up to date at the time of writing, and hopefully will be updated, things are changing fast, so you will need to check the links and do your research! This isn’t legal advice either, just stuff that might be useful.
If you have other links for useful information on organising, workplace rights, mutual aid or other relevant topics please comment with them below.
During this crisis, many people are facing problems with work, housing and other issues.
The most important thing you can do right now, if at all possible, is organise. There is information on how to do this in your workplace here:
https://iww.org.uk/resource/basic_principles_organising/
https://iwwscotland.wordpress.com/organise-at-work/
https://www.betterthanzero.scot/covid-19—next-steps/
If you want to organise around rent and landlords this is a good place to start: https://www.livingrent.org
If you want to organise across your industry, for example in healthcare or hospitality, contact your local IWW branch.
If you want to learn more about mutual aid and what’s going on in your area: https://freedomnews.org.uk/covid–19–uk–mutual–aid–groups–a–list/
There’s a great blog post on organising mutual aid in your stairwell or block here: https://iwwscotland.wordpress.com/2020/03/17/how-to-set-up-a-stairwell-neighbourhood-covid-19-whatsapp-support-group/
However, while you’re starting to organise, you may need to deal with an individual problem quickly. You may also need information to start collective action. The following links might be useful.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/
https://www.cas.org.uk/news/new-advice-coronavirus
ACAS guidance: https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
TUC guidance: https://www.tuc.org.uk/resource/covid–19–coronavirus–guidance–unions–updated –23–march
Mutual aid groups: https://freedomnews.org.uk/covid–19–uk–mutual–aid–groups–a–list/
Citizens’ Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus–what–it–means–for–you/
If you are a disabled person, you can find useful information and advice on a range of subjects here: http://www.disabilityscot.org.uk
Information about furlough scheme: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
https://iww.org.uk/news/advice-sheet-claiming-the-government-furlough-scheme/
Zero hours (and advice on action/organising): https://www.betterthanzero.scot
If your boss is insisting that you come into work, but you do not think that it is safe to do so see https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus.
If you are worried about getting paid because you are self-isolating see https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus/self–isolation–and–sick–pay.
For information about applying for benefits see https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sickor–disabled–people–and–carers/employment–and–support–allowance/before–you–apply–for–e sa/eligiblility–for–esa/ and https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal–credit/. https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
For information about time of for caring for dependents see https://www.gov.uk/timeoff–for–dependants.
For regularly updated advice on the situation for self-employed people:
https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html
If you are worried about reduced hours or getting laid off:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/leaving–a–job/redundancy/layoffsand–short–time–working/if–your–contract–allows–layoff–or–short–time–working/.
Information on what happens if your workplace closes:
https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus/if–theemployer–needs–to–close–the–workplace.
Outside work …
Shelter can give advice on housing issues: https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/scottish_housing_advice_coronavirus_COVID_19
If you are a homeowner, information regarding the current “mortgage holiday” arrangements can be found at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk–coronavirus–help–andyour–rights/.
If you are unable to pay taxes due to coronavirus, a dedicated HMRC helpline has been set up on 0800 015 9559.
For all other financial hardship, general advice can be found at
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt–and–money/if–you–cant–pay–your–bills–because–ofcoronavirus/.
Don’t forget the links to mutual aid groups above…
Stay safe Fellow Workers, and don’t forget, solidarity and organising!!!!
This post was written by a Fellow Worker. It does not necessarily represent the views of the IWW or it’s members.
IWW Scotland Blog 
One response to “Some links I found useful this week…”
Reblogged this on Industrial Workers of the World Dorset.