Protesters occupy ATOS healthcare building

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Pr ... 052011.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Protesters last night occupied a city-based office building that is home to Atos Healthcare, claiming the firm is “victimising” those with specific needs.

Banners were strung from the roof of the building and dozens of campaigners entered the office building in Hills Road, Cambridge, pledging to stay overnight.

The office was chosen because Atos won a recent Government contract to reassess incapacity benefit claimants and the demonstration was part of UK-wide action.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling previously said there was “clear evidence” of need for change in the welfare system.

Tom Woodcock, secretary of the Cambridge and District Trades Union Council, who was at the city protest, said the building housing Atos had been occupied when he left at 5.30pm, but not the Atos offices.

Mr Woodcock said: “People are inside and there are posters all over the windows and banners hanging from the roof. I support what they are doing 100 per cent.”

Representatives from campaigning group Cambridge Defend Education were also involved in the protest.

A spokesman said last night: “The Cambridge activists have occupied the building and roof, and plan to stay the night.”

Mr Woodcock said: “The Government is attempting to decimate the social security offered to thousands of people with physical and mental health issues.

“Worse still they are allowing a private firm to profit from the process. In reality the reassessment of incapacity benefits will not increase the number of people in work but force some of the most vulnerable people into a more precarious existence.”

He added: “Atos claim they are occupation health specialists but rather than holding employers to account they are victimising and disenfranchising individuals with specific needs.”

A police helicopter was flying over Hills Road to monitor the protest. Atos was unavailable for comment last night.

[stokes11eg]

Good on 'em!

[DGP1]

FFS don't they realise that if they can take over a building then they'll be fit for work (occupation duties in warm dry climates maybe) they're just playing into ATOS's hands

[Straight4ward]

Somewhat going off at a tangent, the following link features our friends ATOS.

The article is about the introduction of new tests for disability claimants. It is a long read but an eye-opener and counters the popular right wing myth that everyone on benefits is a feckless, idle scrounger.

God help any of us that need to turn to the State for help these days.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011 ... y-benefits" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[norbert]

http://afteratos.org/2011/05/13/cuts-ki ... n-suicide/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scott ... -22987209/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; there's posties that have been medically retired by ATOS as soon as they went to the Social ATOS Origin have passed them fit again