Ealing Protest Over ATOS

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Trade unions call for end to private agency

Ealing protestors joined others on a national demonstration against ATOS - the firm employed by the government to undertake "workplace capability assessments".

The local protest was organised by Raj Gill of the Unite union (Community branch) who lives in Hanger Hill, with the support of Ealing Trades Council. Speakers pledging their support included Mark Benjamin from Public and Civil Service union, Nick Phillips from London Unemployed Strategies, and Rupa Huq, Labour Party General Election candidate for Ealing Central and Acton.

Dr Huq said "By picking on and demonising the disabled and most vulnerable in its bogus testing with pre-determined results, Atos is a symbol of the cruelty and injustice of the policies of the coalition government. There are too many anomalies, when will they realise this system is not fit for purpose?"

 Mr Gill said: ' It is disgraceful that ATOS have treated people in this way. They cannot pass the blame back onto the government. They knew what they were  doing when they took the contract on. Their contract should be terminated. We at Unite Community will continue to support unemployed and disabled people in their campaign for decent treatment, proper jobs and proper benefits'.

Protestors concluded their action which began outside Ealing job centre on the Uxbridge Road W13 by joining forces from groups from all over the country at the ATOS head-office in Euston.

They have vowed to keep up the pressure until ATOS is axed. Meanwhile this way the company confirmed it was seekin g to end its contract with the Government.

 

25th February 2014