Filed under: activism, take action | Tags: activism, get involved, lifestyle, society, take action, united states, vacation, work, working
The following message has just arrived from Take Back Your Time, the work/life balance advocacy group in the United States. Please read and, if you are an American Citizen, please take action!
Dear Take Back Your Time Supporter
NOW IS THE TIME TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN WINNING PAID VACATION TIME FOR AMERICAN WORKERS!!!
WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS!!!
As you may know, on May 21st, Congressman Alan Grayson introduced H.R. 2564, The Paid Vacation Act of 2009. With other TAKE BACK YOUR TIME board members Joe Robinson and Bill Doherty, I spoke at the news conference introducing the bill. We were joined by economist John Schmitt, family practice doctor Arnold Pallay, and simple living advocate Wanda Urbanska, in addition to Congressman Grayson himself.
We understand that this bill is much more modest than what TAKE BACK YOUR TIME originally called for, yet is in a hugely important step in the right direction and we urge you to support it now. You can let Congress know if you think it should be strengthened, but please register your support for the bill. A full explanation of the bill and rebuttals of the main opposition arguments can now be found on our Web site at:
http://www.timeday.org/right2vacation/PAID%20VACATION%20ACT%20OF%202009.pdf
Or just go to http://www.right2vacation.org/ and check out the second item in BREAKING NEWS.
SO……
PLEASE WRITE OR CALL YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
AND SENATORS
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/
You will need to enter your zip code.
URGING THEM TO CO-SPONSOR AND/OR SUPPORT H.R. 2564, THE PAID VACATION ACT OF 2009.
WE VERY MUCH NEED CO-SPONSORS, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE HOUSE TOURISM CAUCUS—SEE IF YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS A MEMBER AT:
http://www.farr.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=260&Itemid=0
IF YOU CAN, SEND A LETTER (MOST EFFECTIVE), AND OTHERWISE SEND CALL THEIR OFFICE OR SEND AN EMAIL.
Make your letter or email as personal as possible. Tell your representative why this is important to you. You can draw from the information on our Web site at:
http://www.timeday.org/right2vacation/PAID%20VACATION%20ACT%20OF%202009.pdf
URGENT REQUEST: PLEASE SUPPORT TAKE YOUR TIME NOW!! Donate at: http://www.timeday.org/. It’s simple!
I’m sorry, we’re not equipped to immediate connect you to your representative as many Web sites are. Unfortunately, TAKE BACK YOUR TIME is dancing on the edge of debt. We are funded entirely by members and supporters at this time and our fund are running out just as we are making major strides in helping to achieve vacation legislation and build our National Vacation Matters Summit. We really need your support now. Please make a donation today online at: http://www.timeday.org/ or by sending a check to CRESP/TAKE BACK YOUR TIME at
TAKE BACK YOUR TIME
PO BOX 19852
SEATTLE, WA 98109
In these hard economic times, your fully tax-deductible donation is needed more than ever. PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
For more information, don’t hesitate to email me at jodg@comcast.net.
Act now! There’s no present like the time!
Thank you for all you do,
John de Graaf
Executive Director
TAKE BACK YOUR TIME
Filed under: news articles | Tags: article, economics, lifestyle, news articles, overwork, rights, self-sacrifice, society, work, working
Reposted from The Financial Times
By Brian Groom, Business and Employment Editor
Published: May 31 2009 23:35 | Last updated: May 31 2009 23:35
More than half of UK workers have experienced a cut in pay or hours or a loss of employment benefits since the recession began, according to a survey of more than 1,600 staff published on Sunday.
Unemployment, currently more than 2.2m, would be higher still without such measures, said the Keep Britain Working campaign.
The campaign argued that the figures demonstrated how flexible the workforce had been in the downturn, and that changes in employment terms had helped employers to avoid even greater job cuts.
The campaign, which promotes innovative ways to preserve and create jobs, was founded by James Reed, the chief executive of Reed recruitment group. It is backed by the main political parties, the Trades Union Congress and the British Chambers of Commerce.
Last week, workers at Honda’s factory in Swindon, Wiltshire, voted overwhelmingly in favour of a 3 per cent pay reduction for the next 10 months to protect 490 jobs.
Over the past nine months, 27 per cent of UK workers have had their pay cut, 24 per cent have had their hours reduced and 24 per cent have lost benefits, according to the survey.
It found that 37 per cent had experienced only one of these changes, while another 12 per cent had experienced two of them and a further 5 per cent all three.
Two in five workers had been given extra responsibilities, while a fifth had seen the nature of their role within their organisation change. Two per cent had been offered a semi-paid sabbatical and 6 per cent an unpaid sabbatical since the recession began.
In spite of wage freezes and cuts in pay and hours, the Office for National Statistics recently published data showing that unemployment had so far risen as steeply as in the 1980s recession and more sharply than in that of the 1990s.
The ONS said the jobless rate had risen by 1.3 percentage points to 7.1 per cent since last year’s third quarter – the same at this stage as in the recession of 1980. By comparison, the rate rose by 0.9 percentage points in the first three quarters of the 1990-91 recession, to 8 per cent.
Labour market analysts expect unemployment to rise above 3m, or more than 10 per cent of the workforce, by this time next year. But they argue that the jobs market may be able to bounce back better than in the past.
More than half of workers in the Keep Britain Working survey were more pessimistic about job prospects this month than a month ago. Fifty-four per cent were more pessimistic, while 17 per cent were more optimistic.
“British workers are increasingly pessimistic about job prospects in the immediate future,” said Mr Reed. “But – and in contrast to parts of continental Europe – workers appear overall to be making common cause with their managers to help keep people working.”
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009
Filed under: news articles | Tags: article, lifestyle, society, vacation, work
Oh no…
What a world we live that this article, found at 50Plus.com, is pushing the “hip new trend” of working multiple jobs, not because someone needs to in order to get by, but because its a savvy thing to do.
At least the final line suggests this might all be quite ridiculous…
But what about the under 50 set that feels increasing pressure to network and build capacity at *all* times, just to have some chance of finding work after their contract expire, or their company lays them off to increase profit margins?
Not good.
——-
A new trend is to use vacation days from one job to work at another.
But is your time worth the extra cash?
Tired of travel buzzwords? Here’s one you might like the sound of: paycation.
This year, instead of spending on a trip or sticking close to home some people will use their vacation time from their main job to earn some extra cash at a second one.
Others will keep right on working and give up their holiday time altogether — if their company will pay out for those unused vacation days.
So what’s the scoop? You won’t find a lot of information or statistics about paycations — they’re essentially grouped in with “second jobs”.
In the U.S., the number of people who picked up second jobs rose to 5.5 per cent of the population in 2008, according to a post on Consumer Reports. More than one quarter of people working a second job are doing so to pay off debts, while more than a third are doing it for the extra money.
And where are the opportunities? Don’t get your hopes up too high — According to Consumer Reports, most of the secondary jobs are in health and education services, leisure and hospitality and retail. Many paycation opportunities are likely to be summer camps, working at a local restaurant or hotel or selling goods in a local shop.
However, with a week or two off work there’s an opportunity for professionals to make use of their skills in other arenas, such as:
- Teaching a class or course (whether it’s just a day or a week-long course)
- Picking up some freelance or consulting work in their field.
- Launching a home business, website or blog.
- Working on money-earning hobbies.
But is it worth your time? Here are some things to consider:
Pros
- Build your network. Networking is one of the “must do” activities for professional development, especially in a time when many people find themselves in a precarious job situation. A new position means you’ll come into contact with new people and form new connections that will be mutually beneficial later on.
- Focus on professional development. Develop new skills, learn about another business or industry and beef up your resume. There’s something to learn from any new job or experience you take, and you can apply job-specific skills and transferable skills to your current job.
- Build your portfolio. Skills are nice, but so is proof of what you can accomplish. Our regular jobs can box us into certain responsibilities and target audiences. In order to have a balanced portfolio of work, you may need to get beyond your regular job to show off other assets.
- Start something big. Picking up some consulting or freelance work can turn into a long-term money-maker as a home business or “on the side” work.
- And perhaps the most obvious benefit: Extra cash. For many people, it means a boost to their savings or an investment in home renovations. It might pay for a vacation later on, and help pay down some debt.
Cons
- Additional job stress. Taking a break from work (whether you travel or not) provides some much needed respite and relaxation which is good for your health. On the other hand, skipping your holidays won’t give you a break from the stress, which can contribute to job burnout.
- Chances are you’ll also have to deal with learning new skills and working with new people in a short period of time — which can cause tension.
- Fewer opportunities for stress management. In addition, you may find yourself with less time to spend on hobbies, fitness and other activities that are necessarily for managing stress and leading a healthy lifestyle.
- Personal sacrifices. More time working means less time with your family and friends. You can’t put a price tag on that time, or “buy it back”.
- The jobs aren’t good enough. Networking and professional development are worthwhile goals, but many paycation opportunities aren’t the high-level positions many people are seeking. Many people find greater fulfillment by giving away their time for free — and volunteer and service-oriented vacations are taking off as a result.
- More money for the government, not for you. Who else are you subsidizing with your extra hours? Taxes and other work-related expenses may eat into your earnings.
If you decide to try it
Thinking of giving it a shot? Here are some other steps to weigh in:
- Look at your current income and crunch some numbers. In some cases, that extra cash might alter your tax bracket — meaning you’ll pay more to the government. You might also incur additional costs above and beyond your normal expenses like travel costs. However, if you’re investing more into your RRSP or TFSA, you’ll see some pay-offs in the future.
- Review your current contract to make sure there aren’t any conflicts. Some companies prohibit their employees from taking on outside work in their field, and working for a competitor is definitely a no-no. Make sure your paycation job doesn’t violate the terms of your current contract, and that there’s no conflict of interest involved.
- Know what you’re getting into. Find out the details of what the time commitment will be, and what duties or projects you’ll be responsible for. Ask what will happen if the position runs over it’s projected time and you have to go back to work. (And get the details in writing too).
- Watch out for scams. Employment scams are popular in these tough times. Learn as much as you can about the company and the opportunity, and be sceptical of too-good-to-be-true offers. Be very cautious about when and to whom you give out personal information. (For more tips, see Avoid online employment scams).
- Be wary of the word “paycation” : it’s commonly used to promote travel clubs and network marketing businesses (e.g. setting up your own online travel agency). Many of these schemes involve selling travel through a website you pay to set up and maintain, as well as recruiting others and selling the business opportunity to them. (If you’re interested those offers, do your research and carefully evaluation any opportunities — especially whether or not they’re legal in your area due to travel industry regulations).
- Work your network. Finding a paycation position won’t be easy — unless you know where to look. Draw on your usual job search strategies, especially talking to friends and colleagues. Let people know you are open to a temporary opportunity.
Is a paycation worth pursuing or is it just another passing fad? Ignore the buzzword. Instead, weigh the benefits and pitfalls before agreeing to give up your time (or dismissing the idea altogether).
Source: Consumer Reports
Filed under: contemporary art, exhibition, intervention | Tags: art, artists, contemporary art, intervention, other exhibitions, work
Check out this intervention that started in 2007, will launch as an exhibition in fall 2009, and will be released as a publication in 2009/2010… very cool. Monika found it online and passed it on…
Reposted from: euro|topics 03/03/2009
Svenska Dagbladet – Sweden
In view of the financial crisis the Swedish metal workers union has agreed with employers to accept a partial wage sacrifice. To avoid layoffs, working hours are to be shortened where necessary, and the time thus liberated used for continuing education. The daily Svenska Dagbladet comments: “The agreement can lead to workers being paid less over the long term, but it does not lead to pay cuts. Just because a worker receives less pay it does not mean he is suddenly being paid less for his work. What we are dealing with is a reduction in working hours. … Under the new agreement employees will not have to compete among themselves with lower prices for their labour. The deal will help companies avoid layoffs and it will help metal workers avoid unemployment. How long will it take for the rest of the labour market to follow suit?” (03/03/2009)
Reposted from Sympatico.ca; read the article in its original setting here.
Overwork inevitably encrouches on time intended for other things, sleep being the most common. The following article discusses how a lack of sleep leads to more than just occassional crankiness, but an generally unhappy outlook on life. It offers a few suggestions on how to achieve better sleep…
Poor sleep and unhappiness
Sleeping badly can lead to more than just feeling rotten the next day. A new study finds a link between poor sleep and overall dissatisfaction with life.
Have trouble sleeping? Dissatisfied with your life? The two just might be connected. In fact, people who experience ongoing sleep problems may be three times as likely to become dissatisfied with their lives later on, according to a new study from Finland.
The study, which looked at 18,631 same sex twins, measured sleep quality and life satisfaction in an interval of six years, first in 1975 and then in 1981. (To measure satisfaction people were asked about how hard they thought their life was, as well as feelings of loneliness, happiness and ability to experience pleasure or joy. Sleep was measured by both perceived quality and length of sleep.)
The researchers, from the National Public Health Institute in Helsinki, found that:
– Participants who reported dissatisfaction with life in 1975 were also likely to be dissatisfied in 1981. However, their sleep quality did not deteriorate over this period.
– People who said they slept poorly in 1975 were more than twice more likely to be dissatisfied with life in 1981.
After adjusting for other factors that may have played a role (such health problems, smoking and/or drinking habits, and physical activity level), researchers found that poor sleep independently tripled the likelihood of life dissatisfaction.
Sleep directly affects the brain, emotions, and mood
And while the findings indicate that bad sleep quality may lead to dissatisfaction with life, the reverse is not true, the researchers say. Rather, something about sleeping poorly in and of itself may affect “the brain, emotions, and mood,” they wrote in a report about the study.
The study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology , January 15, 2009. (To read more, click here.)
The risks of a sleep-deprived lifestyle
These findings are only the latest to indicate how sleep affects our health, performance and sense of well-being. A sleep-deprived lifestyle, for example, has long been associated with mental alertness and cognitive abilities. Poor sleep can also impair the immune system, and even increase the risk for obesity and diseases such as diabetes, experts say.
And not surprisingly, there is also a strong link between sleep deprivation and traffic accidents.
So how much sleep is enough? It depends on your age. Experts say that infants generally require about 16 hours a day, while teenagers need, on average, about 9 hours. For most adults, 7 to 8 hours a night is thought to be best, although some people may need as few as 5 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each day.
Older people tend to sleep more lightly and for fewer hours, although they generally need as much sleep as they needed in early adulthood.
8 tips for better sleeping
If you’re one of the 9 of 10 Canadians who report having sleep problems*, here are some tips for getting a good night’s sleep.
Set a schedule and stick to it.
Go to bed at a set time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Disrupting this routine may interrupt your inner ‘circadian clock’ and lead to insomnia. While ’sleeping in’ on weekends may seem like a treat, it can make it harder to wake up early on Monday morning because it re-sets your sleep cycles for a later awakening.
Watch what you eat.
The general rule is: Don’t eat for at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime. Eating too much may make you less comfortable when settling down for bed. It is best to avoid a heavy meal and spicy foods too close to bedtime.
Watch what you drink.
Avoid drinks that contain caffeine, which acts as a stimulant. This includes coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, non-herbal teas, diet drugs, and some pain relievers. Alcohol tends to keep people in lighter stages of sleep, robbing them of deep and REM sleep. Note: Smokers also tend to sleep lightly and often wake up early because of nicotine withdrawal.
Get regular exercise.
Try to exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day. Keep in mind, however, that while daily exercise often helps people sleep, a workout too soon before bedtime may actually interfere with sleep. (In addition to making us more alert, our body temperature rises during exercise, and takes as much as 6 hours to begin to drop. Since a cooler body temperature is associated with the onset of sleep, it is better to finish your exercise at least 5 to 6 hours before going to bed.)
Establish relaxing rituals.
Leave the day’s stresses behind with a warm bath, reading, or another relaxing activity. Avoid arousing activities before bedtime like working, paying bills, engaging in competitive games or family problem solving.
Make your room sleep-friendly.
Select your mattress, pillow and bed linens carefully for maximum comfort. Maintain a sleep-friendly temperature in the bedroom, usually between 18-21 ° C (65-70 ° F). (Extreme temperatures may disrupt sleep or prevent you from falling asleep.) You may also wish to consider using blackout curtains, eyeshades, earplugs, “white noise,” humidifiers, fans and other devices. Install soft lighting in your bedroom and bath. And when reading in bed, consider using a book light.
Don’t just lie there.
Generally it takes about 20-30 minutes to fall asleep. If you still can’t get to sleep, don’t just lie in bed. Instead try reading, watching television, or listening to calming music until you feel tired. The anxiety of being unable to fall asleep can actually contribute to your sleeplessness.
Rise with the sun.
If possible, wake up with the sun, or use very bright lights in the morning. Sunlight helps the body’s internal biological clock reset itself each day. Sleep experts recommend exposure to an hour of morning sunlight for people having problems falling asleep.
Note: If your sleeping problems continue, consult a doctor. Most sleep disorders can be treated effectively.
*According to a Harris/Decima poll, which was commissioned by Sunbeam, via an online panel (eVox) among a sample of 745 adult Canadians. The margin of error is +/- 3.56 per cent.
Sources: American Journal of Epidemiology, January 15, 2009; U.S. National Sleep Foundation; National Institute on Ageing; National Institutes of Health.
Filed under: ideas, news articles | Tags: article, lifestyle, overwork, slow, society, time, working
The Myth of Multi-tasking by Alan Kearns
Reposted from Workopolis on Thursday, January 08, 2009
As you read this, are you checking your voice mail, getting a call or thinking about what you have to do today on your “to do” list? This week’s podcast is with Dave Crenshaw author of The Myth of Multitasking: How “doing it all” gets nothing done. The title of the book caught my attention. How many times in a job ad have you seen “must be able to multitask”? According to The Basex Group, 62 per cent of us think that multitasking is a good thing for our work.
To be frank, at first I agreed with Dave’s thoughts. Then, I started to fight back thinking, “hold on. I am great at multitasking.”
However, I had to think about the difference between putting the kettle on while checking my email versus trying to listen to my kids while checking my email. I love Dave’s definition – “multitasking is a polite way to say I have not heard a thing you said.” It is hard to truly listen to anyone while you are doing something else at the same time. In a number of provinces, you are banned from using your PDA while driving, and you have to wear a headset if you are on the phone. Why?
Well, the reality is that our skills drop when we are doing two things at once, even if they are mundane tasks.
According to research by The Basex Group, on average there is a $650 billion in lost productivity in the North America economy due to multitasking. We lose on average 2.1 hours each day and over 28 per cent of our work day is spent dealing with interruptions. Not to mention the number of errors that result when trying to do multiple tasks at the same time. This seems counterintuitive. Most of us work in companies that are asking us to do more with less and to be more efficient.
Combine a mix of 24/7 environment, toss in a bit of globalization, add a taste of technology and presto: we have a ripe mix for corporate ADD.
The 5 most common interruptions at work are:
* A colleague stopping by.
* Being called away or leaving your desk voluntarily.
* The arrival of new email.
* Switching to another task on the computer.
* A phone call.
This is not necessarily a new Pbulilius Syrus. A Roman philosopher once said, “to do two things at once is to do neither .” I think we have convinced ourselves that we can do more with more technology and less people. Technology is a wonderful thing, yet this has added a more complex work pattern. There is a principle called “switching costs” according to a study by Irvine Department of Information & Computer Science. Switching costs result when we interrupt what we are doing and go to do something else. When we go back to our original task, it takes time for us to get back into the flow.
How do you solve this issue? Here is my solution:
Say this three times…
“Multitasking is worse than a lie.”
“Multitasking is worse than a lie.”
“Multitasking is worse than a lie.”
Of course I am not being serious. All of us remember that we need to do multiple projects at once. The key is to break up tasks into pieces that you are able to start and finish. Then, respond to that email that you were alerted to while working on your project. Here are 5 simple ways from Dave’s book to help you break your multitasking habit:
* Recognize that multitasking is a lie.
* Understand and measure the truth about using your time.
* Create a realistic time budget per week.
* Schedule recurring appointments with key people.
* Set specific hours when you are available.
Here are some other ideas that I thought could help you:
* If you have a door, close it.
* If you have a phone, don’t answer it.
* If you have a computer, turn off the sound.
* Work at home on specific days.
* If you have a schedule, use it.
* If you have a blackberry, put it down.
I personally have been reminded about this issue when it comes to really being with my family. As Dave said, “dealing with the fallacy of multitasking is ultimate about doing your work at higher quality with less stress and ultimately, the benefit of better quality relationships. Doing less with more focus equals an overall higher quality of life.”
And that folks, is what all of us want.
Today, take one step towards a better career situation for 2009. Take our Free 15 Minute Career Test or join our complimentary, 1 hour TeleWorkshop. Looking for more personalized support? Book an initial consultation today. Your career and your life await and everyone wins, including you.
Focused, along the road with you!
Alan
Alan Kearns Canada’s Career Coach is the founder of CareerJoy: The Career Coaching Company. He is one of Canada’s foremost experts on all things relating to careers. Alan has more than 17 years of experience coaching professionals with successful career decisions. Alan was voted one of the Top 40 entrepreneurs under the age of 40 and is the author of Get the Right Job Right Now!
Filed under: news articles | Tags: article, economics, lifestyle, news, news articles, overwork, society, work, working
It is worth noting that corporate employers prefer to pay overtime because it costs less than hiring additional workers. This is not something they prefer because it provides them a chance to “give back” to society by allowing people to work as many hours as they wish.
Furthermore, if hours were better distributed, more people would be employed, thus relieving a fair amount of the economic disparity we see now. That is better for everyone.
—
Reposted from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7786825.stm
Published: 2008/12/17 13:59:01 GMT // © BBC MMVIII
Britain has moved a step closer to being forced to limit the working week to 48 hours for all employees.
Euro MPs have voted in favour of ending Britain’s opt-out from the EU working time directive.
Britain is determined to keep the opt-out and will now start talks with EU ministers in an effort to keep it.
The UK does not have a veto on the issue but it is expected to join forces with other countries who back its position in order to get its way.
A decision is expected early next year following “conciliation” talks with the European council of ministers.
Junior doctors
If Britain is forced to axe its opt-out, the law will come into force in three years’ time.
Gary Titley, leader of Labour’s MEPs, who voted to keep the opt-out, said the two sides were so far apart on the issue that the talks would probably end in stalemate and the opt-out would continue.
“Continuing with the status quo is the most likely outcome,” Mr Titley told BBC News, adding that unlike many of his Labour colleagues he believed maximum working hours should be set at a national level.
But Mats Persson, of pressure group Open Europe, which campaigns to keep the opt-out, said there was a chance Britain would be overruled, as it had been in the past on the issue of junior doctors’ hours.
MEPs voted in favour of scrapping the opt-out by 421 votes to 273, with the majority of Labour MEPs voting to axe it, in defiance of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Shadow business secretary Alan Duncan said: “On the day when unemployment rose above 1.8 million, Gordon Brown’s MEPs have voted resoundingly against the opt-out that helps to protect British jobs.
“Reducing the flexibility of our labour market going into what even government ministers are calling the deepest recession we have ever faced, is an economic madness that only the Labour Party would be capable of.”
‘Obstruction’
Thousands of trade union members marched on the European Parliament to urge an end to the opt-out, ahead of Wednesday’s vote.
And leaders of the UK’s biggest union, Unite, urged British MEPs to “stop the UK’s long hours culture”.
But on Monday business minister Pat McFadden told the BBC it would be a mistake to end the opt-out during an economic downturn when people might need to work extra hours.
HAVE YOUR SAY They couldn’t have picked a worse time to try to stop people working when they need to. How about letting the person decide how long they want to work? Winston, UK
The exemption from the working time directive was negotiated by the Conservative government in 1993 and is used to some extent by other member states, for members of the medical profession for example, although the UK is the only country which has opted out of it altogether.
Conservative and Liberal Democrat MEPs say the opt-out should continue but Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans and the Green Party’s two British MEPs are also against it.
Open Europe estimated ending it in 2011 – as some MEPs want – would cost the UK economy between £47.4bn and £66.45bn by 2020.
CBI deputy director general John Cridland said European Parliament amendments which would stop people being able to choose to work more than 48 hours would “replace opportunity with obstruction”.
“If your partner has lost their job, should Brussels stop you from putting in extra overtime to support your family?,” he said.
But the unions argue it is a health and safety issue.
Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley said: “Tired, overstretched workers are not productive workers and are putting themselves and others at risk, such as in the transport industry where we know, for instance, that tired drivers are more dangerous than drunk drivers.”
Filed under: activism, artists, contemporary art, exhibition, ideas | Tags: activism, art, artists, contemporary art, economics, event, exhibition, ideas, overwork, publication, society, working
NGBK BERLIN
13 December 2008 – 1 February 2009
Opening: 12 December, 19 h
/unvermittelt
/unvermittelt
… for a concept of labour beyond overwork and lack of work
Participants: Absageagentur, bankleer, Bildwechsel, chto delat, Chor der Tätigen , city mine(d), Die Heilige Kirche der letzten drei Arbeitstage, G-bliss productions, Sascha Göttling, Institut für Primär-energieforschung , Kiez ->To Go, m7red , Karin Michalski / Renate Lorenz, Netzwerk Grund-einkommen, Private Emission Trade, Sabotage-agentur, unhaltbar/leere Versprechungen, UNWETTER, Malte Wilms, Zene na delu – und die Projektgruppe „/unvermittelt“ der NGBK: Danijela Cenan, Uli Ertl, Frauke Hehl, Rut Waldeyer und Nadine Wothe
About 50 activists, initiatives, artists, theorists and opinion leaders from throughout the world have been invited to redefine the concepts of work and of being active under the motto “practice, method, scope“. The project began in January 2008 with a series of lectures and workshops. Since August, a number of interventions have taken place in Berlin public space. From 13 December, the participants will be showing what they understand by a collaborative and mutually supportive space to think, explore the scope of possibilities and act, in the exhibition space at NGBK.
The exhibition presents both the processes involved – workshops, campaigns, radio and film productions, artists’ actions and political interventions in urban space, as well as the results – films, posters, songs and other acoustic works, sculptures and documentary material.
/unvermittelt will be accompanied by a publication in German. ISBN: 978-3-938515-21-1.
At the evening opening at NGBK the Chor der Tätigen will be singing pop-songs on the topic of work together with “Judiths Krise”.
/unvermittelt is a project of the New Society for Visual Arts, its patron is Berlin’s Senator for Integration, Labour and Social Issues Dr. Knake-Werner.
Catalogue ISBN: 978-3-938515-21-1
www.unvermittelt.net
