Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Welfare Uncut 9am, Tue 7th June, at the Royal Society

Posted: 30 May 2011 09:36 AM PDT

Welfare Uncut!
Take action on 7 June: Welfare “reforms” don’t fool us!

On 7th June, a conference at the Royal Society will bring together those who 
will play a role in “the biggest shake up of the [welfare] system for 60 years”.
In the same week, the Welfare Reform Bill looks set to return to parliament for 
its third reading.
We’re not fooled by the proposals for “reform”: we know they mean abolishing 
our rights to welfare.
While the conference may include some speakers who challenge aspects of the 
government’s plans, its blurb reads like a DWP press release. We’ve helped 
decode some of the spin below. Come along and help us do the same on the day…

[Spin] “a simplified welfare system that encourages and incentivises people to find work”
[Unspun] Don’t want to work without wage for Primark, Tesco’s, Sainsburys, 
Poundland or the like? Or be forced to “volunteer” in a charity shop? No benefits for you then.
[Spin] “maintain standards of living”
[Unspun] …for Financial Times readers. If you’re sick or disabled, we’ll ask private company 
Atos to re-assess you so we can stop your money.
[Spin] “…more affordable”
[Unspun] We’ve heard Primark are delighted they can now get free labour in the UK as 
well as their sweatshops.
[Spin] “ensure dignity in later life and make increased pension saving a reality”
[Unspun] Did we mention we gave your pension to the bankers?
[Spin] “break the cycle of welfare dependency”
[Unspun] Can’t be dependent if there isn’t any welfare!

Be there from 9am, Tue 7th June, at the Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, 
London, SW1Y 5AG. (directions linked here)

More info on:
Posted: 30 May 2011 08:39 AM PDT
Placard with words 'Atos does not give a toss'
Placard with words 'Atos does not give toss'

Quick calendar:

Glasgow 6th June between 6pm and 8pm.
Atos Medical Assessment Centre, Corunna House, 29 Cadogon Street, Glasgow

Plymouth Tuesday 7th June at 12.00 Midday
Atos Medical Centre, Marsh Mills, Argosy House

London Triton Sq Tuesday, June 14 · 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Atos Origin, 4 Triton Square, London, NW1 3HG

Islington: Thursday, September 29 · 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington N1 0QH

————————————

Disabled people, benefits claimants and supporters are to target recruitment events
hosted by IT company Atos Origin.  Pickets outside two events have been called so far 
where protesters have vowed to make sure potential Atos ‘Healthcare’ workers will 
know exactly how their future employers operate.

All claimants on health related benefits are set to be retested by Atos, using a 
computerised system which has seen thousands wrongly stripped of benefits and been 
described as ‘unfit for purpose’.

Atos rely on Doctors, nurses and midwives to carry out the tests – as one nurse, and 
former employee of Atos has said:   “It’s against my principles to treat people with 
long term illnesses in such a disgusting way, so I had to give it up.
“People go into those interviews and talk openly to you because you are a nurse and 
they trust you.“Then your skills are used against them, to take away their benefits and 
destroy their lives.”

Glasgow: The first protest will be held at:
 the Atos Medical Assessment Centre, 
Corunna House, 
29 Cadogon Street, 
Glasgow 
on Monday 6th June between 6pm and 8pm.

Plymouth: Private contractors Atos Healthcare ( sic ) are still carrying out benefit 
medicals at Argosy House, Marsh Mills , Plymouth. The DWP then use Atos’ reports 
to stop people’s benefits. The medicals and reports are flawed . The majority of those 
whose benefit is stopped and who go to appeal tribunal  win and get the benefit back. 
( in Oxford where they have a proper Welfare Rights service..92% win their appeal 
against DWP/ Atos)
Sadly many people cannot face the hassle of all this and give up and can be left destitute 
or worse. See Citizen’s Advice report ‘Not Working………’..March 2010 with evidence 
from before the new tougher test , it is even worse now.

On 11th May Plymouth Claimants Union organised a picket at Argosy House as part of 
the national day of action against benefrit cuts and  to expose Atos’ part in this.  A 
dozen or so people with disabilities , carers , trade unionists  and other anti-cuts  
activists let the Atos quacks know we are out to expose them for what they are …
parasites on poverty.

Keep the pressure on Atos – put people before profit.

Next picket at:
 Argosy House  
Tuesday 7th June at 12.00 Midday
Further details and transport to Argosy House , contact:
Sam Bennett
Plymouth Claimants Union
0795 203 7290

London Triton Sq: Benefit claimants, disabled people and supporters 
will be attending Atos Healthcare’s Recruitment Day on June 14th at 5pm 
and have called on people to join them.
Bring bandages, fake blood, banners, placards, CVs, the noise.
Tuesday, June 14 · 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Atos Origin, 4 Triton Square, London, NW1 3HG

In the spirit of actively seeking work we will be demanding that if we are 
all ‘fit for work’ then Atos, notorious for a lack of disabled access in their 
premises, should consider us for employment directly.

Islington London: Protesters will also gather outside the BMJ 
Recruitment Fair on September 29th where Atos plan to exhibit: http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/

Poverty Pimps Atos Origin, the sharks responsible for the harassment 
of sick and disabled claimants, are set to recruit hundreds of medical 
staff to carry out their notorious assessments on everyone receiving 
Incapacity Benefit.

As part of this Atos will be having a stall at the annual BMJ Recruitment 
Fair in Islington Design Centre on 29th/30th September.
A protest has been called outside on the 29th where we will be, not just 
demonstrating, but handing out information to potential recruits on the 
devastation these tests have caused to the health of already vulnerable 
people.
“Please come and see us at stand 54 of the BMJ Careers Fair” say Atos 
on their website. Ok then we will.


Atos will also be exhibiting at the RCN Bulletin Jobs Fair at the same 
venue on 13/14th September and the CSP Congress in Liverpool on 
October in Liverpool on 7/8th October. We might go and see them 
there too.

The BMJ Recruitment Fairs Website is at: 

No doubt a whole host of private companies itching to get their hands 
on the NHS will be recruiting there as well. We might have a chat with 
a few of them as well.

Atos are carrying out more recruitment events around the country.  
You can find details at:


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