atos workers to strike

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Atos workers to vote on Olympic strikes http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news ... ull/121176" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Sunday 08 July 2012by John Millington Printable Email Workers at penny-pinching workfare privateer Atos said today that they won't accept the Olympic sponsor's tiny pay offer - and could strike during the Games.

PCS members at the multimillion-pound company rejected an offer which falls short of inflation - running at 3.1 per cent according to the latest official figures - and will be balloted for strike action this week.

Balloting of 1,500 union members across Atos Healthcare and Atos IT Services will begin this week with a view to strike action during the Olympics Games.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "In sponsoring the Olympics, Atos would like the world to associate it with a spirit of effort and success, but the reality is that it makes its millions on the backs of its low-paid staff.

"The treatment of its own workers is given an added significance by its connection with the government's brutal plans to cut vital benefits for sick and disabled people."

PCS said the firm had refused to commit to becoming a "living wage" employer, which would mean paying staff at least £7.20 an hour, or £8.30 an hour in London, despite making annual profits worth more than £280 million, up 6.7 per cent on the previous year.

Atos has also faced heavy criticism for its handling of "back to work" tests on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, which disabled people and campaigners say are solely designed to cut welfare costs.

The latest threat of strike action will add to the possibility of widespread disruption and civil disobedience at the Games as government policies of austerity and cuts continue to grip the nation.

Disabled rights activists, many of them victims of Atos's harshly unsympathetic management of their claims, have worked out detailed protest plans, saying they are fed up with the Con-Dem government cuts.

And charity War on Want has revealed that Olympic sponsors are using sweatshop labour in the production of merchandise.

"One wonders why this company, with its track record on industrial relations and other allegations, has been deemed fit to be a worldwide Olympic partner.

"There is nothing magic about the Olympics that suddenly it is closed season on workers defending themselves against bad employers."

[POSTMAN]

So,no light duties for Usain then if this goes ahead.

[P13]

So,no light duties for Usain then if this goes ahead.

I wonder if his manager tells him he has a performance issue and tells him he will test him if he doesn't go faster

[cliffeyhez]

If ever a company needed a boot up it's arse it's Atos.
A morally bankrupt organisation.

[gazzariah]

mr cheap. poundland. 99p shop .royalmail. comes to mind.