Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1997 15:36:27 -0500 (EST)
From: Gerald Levy <glevy-AT-pratt.edu>
Subject: Re: Casualisation


Steve Wright wrote:

> In Melbourne such work is usually done on bicycle (the financial district
> is fairly concentrated). And commonly with the riders contracted as
> 'self-employed' - which means that they supply the 'fixed capital', and
> receive no health cover from their de facto employer in the event of an
> accident . . .

The situation is very similar in New York City -- except that there are
both bicycle messengers and "foot" messengers (who also take the subway).
Very frequently, this is a job that young newcomers (sometimes
drop-outs or runaways) often take. No benefits, very low pay, no job
security, and -- also -- very dangerous. All attempts at organizing over
the years have been unsuccessful. Many squatters have been bicycle
messengers (and bicycling is in vogue amongst that counter-cultural
community). One radical friend of mine worked for a month for one such
company. When he went to work next, the owner was nowhere to be found. As
he never received his pay, he couldn't pay the rent and he was then
evicted and became homeless (and has since become a squatter).

Another NYC casualization horror story: circa 1990 when there were
homeless encampments in Tompkins Square Park, flatbed trucks used to
arrive in the early morning at the Park entrance on Ave A and 7th St
looking for workers. Many of the homeless who desperately needed the $
jumped in the trucks and went to work. It turns out that the job involved
removing asbestos from old buildings with their bare hands and without
any protective clothing! (true story). Later, in 1991, many of these same
people were evicted from TSP by approx. 500 cops dressed in riot gear at
the orders of the then  "liberal" Mayor Dinkins. TSP was closed for over a
year and the entire  community was in a state of police occupation (but
that's another story).

Jerry



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