from.a Hull reader The Hull Unemployed Workers' Committee held its first public meeting on Friday, last week, (the 16th) with about 130 in attendance, It is significant thot none of Hull's M,P.s attended — s11 fincing excuses, The meeting, whilst not as large as scme had expected, was cuite a success and the committee’ work has been publicised and strengthened. The chairman has sent the following letter to all labour orpanisstions in the Hull area: "Unemployment in the Hull area is the worst since 1940 - over 6,500 jobless. A group of those jobless workers have organised a Hull Unemployed Workers! Cormittee to fight unemployment, The Committee is pressing for the rights of all the unemployed. Amongst other things, the Hull Cormittee has been formed to see that all men entering the Labour Exchange get their rights, The Committee has given out tens of thousands of leaflets to all the unemployed entering the Exchange on pay out days (every Thursday and Friday). These leaflets have provided a very useful service to the men signing on. The procedure facing unemployed workers at the Exchanges is very complicated and there is no guarentee that such workers automatically receive the money they are entitled to, Practical informetion on all the . following aspects of secial security has been given out: Unemployed benefit, earnings related benefit, income tex rebate, local grants, school dinners, etc, And even more important, the Workers’ Committee has taken up and won many cases of delays to claims, the wege stop has been fought successfully and the Committee has usefully represented workers on the Appeals Tribunal, The Hull Unemployed Workers' Committee is making clear that the policy of unemployment hes definite political causes, In recent leaflets the Labour Government and the employers have been severely criticised for their unacceptable actions, All unemployed workers are being urged to join the Committee, involve more workers in the strurgle, make demands on local councillors, M.P.s, trade union officials, etc. Unemployed’ * workers are being urged not to accept any jobs offered at the Labour Exchange at below union rates, Unemployment is still going up. We must emphasise the importance of solidarity between workers with jobs and those without. And the campaign: must be national, The Hull Unemployed Workers! Cormittee has much to ‘jo to consolidate its own position locally, but it is keen to hear about similar developments elsewhere with a view to joining forces, perhaps on a regional basis in the first instance, Your observations on the situation and any practical ideas for action would be most welcome. Local contacts in your area would also be most welcome, Do you think it is useful to consider a late March date (when unemployment is likely to be at its highest) as a time for a massive unemployment-protest on a regionel or notional basis? Quick and urgent action by workers, both in work *nd out, is vital. Contact me at 6, Hardane, Orchard Park, Hull.
Yours fraternally,
Stan Suddaby (chairman H.U.W.C.)"
I hope all interested Week readers will respond to this letter,