https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Crutch-Collective/132893236781931
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Photo From The Anti-Workfare Walk Of Shame
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Crutch-Collective/132893236781931
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Sunday, 28 April 2013
Anti-Workfare Walk Of Shame Mon. 6th May 12 noon
We will be picketing several Workfare companies such as Poundland, Burtons, Top Shop and Debenhams on Bank Holiday Monday because if previous holidays are anything to go by Workfare companies will be using forced unpaid labour on a Workfare scheme rather than pay their regular staff holiday pay.
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Friday, 22 March 2013
Boycott Workfare @ Poundland Glasgow Saturday 23rd March 11am
Superdrug have pulled out of Workfare,
so we will be picketing Poundland's largest city centre store
instead: 167-201, Argyle St, G2 8BU
Facebook
Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/164977433649794/
Despite
being the focus of a court judgement, which ruled Workfare
regulations unlawful, Poundland continue to use unpaid labour.
It's
good for the bosses and their profits.
But
bad for unemployed people on the Scheme who don't get paid.
It's
bad for all workers - replacing paid jobs, holiday pay & ending
temporary posts.
Workfare
is an attack on us all!
Like
many chain stores, Poundland, have been given a massive public
subsidy, in the form of unemployed people working for nothing but
their benefits on a Workfare Scheme. Poundland have 'Work
Experience' placements across 71 of their stores. 80% do not even
get offered any kind of job with Poundland. Poundland's profits rose
by 27% in the last financial year. They can afford to pay and keep
on all their staff.
This
Scheme is not only an attack on the unemployed
- Poundland claim that their 'Work Experience' scheme is completely
voluntary, but it involves Job Centre Plus, so those taking part can
still have their benefits cut if they do not comply. The degree to
which the scheme is genuinely voluntary is disputed as there are
countless reports of lies and intimidation to get jobseekers to
participate and after one week the scheme becomes mandatory.
Dropping out of a 'Work Experience' placement can lead to being put
on other schemes like Mandatory Work Activity. 'Work Experience'
mostly involves stacking shelves for up to 30 hours a week for 8
weeks.
It
is also a direct attack on Poundland’s workers and other workers
- replacing paid jobs, holiday pay & ending temporary posts for
students and others who rely on this type of work. We have heard
complaints from Poundland staff who have had their hours cut, because
of Workfare.
The
same number of people will be doing the same amount of work – but
thanks to Workfare, Poundland can replace paid workers with unpaid
ones. Once again, the lies of the Government and businesses, claiming
that Workfare is a way to help people back into work, are exposed.
The exact opposite is true - Workfare is a job destruction scheme.
The
best way to end the iniquity of Workfare is to directly affect the
profits of the companies exploiting it
- we have shown that this works with other companies such as Holland
& Barrett and Superdrug. Join us doing the same to Poundland!
Until Poundland gives in, help us in fighting this attack on all
workers’ terms and conditions - Don't
Shop At Poundland.
Tell them you won't be shopping at
their stores again until they publicly withdraw from all Workfare
Schemes:
Feedback form:
http://www.poundland.co.uk/enquiry/customer-enquiry/
Press centre: poundland@bottlepr.co.uk
Chief Executive (Warburg Pincus – their US based private equity fund owners): egustafson@warburgpincus.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Poundland
Press centre: poundland@bottlepr.co.uk
Chief Executive (Warburg Pincus – their US based private equity fund owners): egustafson@warburgpincus.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Poundland
Twitter: https://twitter.com/poundland
Charities shouldn’t make people poorer – day 5 in the workfare week of action
Some charities have adopted an ethical
position on Workfare. Let’s make the others follow!
Given today’s
evidence that there are targets to increase sanctioning people’s
social security at all costs, it is time to put the charities who
help that happen on the spot.
In the last month, thanks to your
action, five charities have said they will no longer take part in Workfare Schemes: Sense, PDSA, Capability Scotland, Sue Ryder and the
Red Cross. The Children’s Society has also pledged not to use Workfare.
This means the Workfare Schemes which
rely on charity placements are on the rocks! Already before the
latest withdrawals, the government
complained: “The high profile withdrawal of placements from
a number of larger charities meant a sharp reduction in placements.”
One in five people sent on mandatory
work activity in charity shops face
destructive sanctions (benefit stoppages) of three or six months.
The charities still involved are profiting from making people poorer.
Let’s tell them it’s time to pull out!
Contact details for Workfare charities
including TCV and the British Heart
Foundation
here:
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Superdrug out – let’s make it more! Day 4 of the Workfare Week of Action
A busy week of action has seen Superdrug pull out of workfare – the promise of demos taking place across the UK this Saturday must have helped!
Unfortunately other high street chains are still profiting from unpaid work. What you are doing works! We are winning so let’s keep it up and let more businesses know workfare is wrong!
Please contact the following companies today. If you’d like to use a standard letter, there’s one at the link below.
Note: Retailers like to claim these schemes are voluntary. Read more about why they’re not:
http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=2324
Unfortunately other high street chains are still profiting from unpaid work. What you are doing works! We are winning so let’s keep it up and let more businesses know workfare is wrong!
Please contact the following companies today. If you’d like to use a standard letter, there’s one at the link below.
Note: Retailers like to claim these schemes are voluntary. Read more about why they’re not:
http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=2324
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Superdrug have pulled out of workfare
From their Facebook page:
·
"We have received a number of posts from customers asking about our policy in terms of work experience placements.
Superdrug believes in supporting those interested in getting a start in a career in retail, supporting the community and creating jobs, since starting to offer voluntary work experience placements over 500 people have gained permanent employment in our business after completing a placement.
We listen very carefully to our customers’ feedback and to be honest the response we have had has been mixed. Some customers were concerned about the programme, while others thought it was a good way to give young people a chance to gain some work experience.
After careful consideration we have decided to withdraw from the voluntary work experience schemes we currently support. We still believe gaining work experience is crucial in getting people into the work place and so at this time have decided to concentrate on our School Leavers’ Apprenticeship programme."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It has been easier to edit the leaflet to include details about Poundland as there is lots of information about their involvement with workfare and nice graphics to use for the leaflet and placards rather than Burtons or other Workfare companies, so if there are no objections we should picket them instead:
Poundland largest city centre store:
167-201, Argyle St, G2 8BU
·
"We have received a number of posts from customers asking about our policy in terms of work experience placements.
Superdrug believes in supporting those interested in getting a start in a career in retail, supporting the community and creating jobs, since starting to offer voluntary work experience placements over 500 people have gained permanent employment in our business after completing a placement.
We listen very carefully to our customers’ feedback and to be honest the response we have had has been mixed. Some customers were concerned about the programme, while others thought it was a good way to give young people a chance to gain some work experience.
After careful consideration we have decided to withdraw from the voluntary work experience schemes we currently support. We still believe gaining work experience is crucial in getting people into the work place and so at this time have decided to concentrate on our School Leavers’ Apprenticeship programme."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It has been easier to edit the leaflet to include details about Poundland as there is lots of information about their involvement with workfare and nice graphics to use for the leaflet and placards rather than Burtons or other Workfare companies, so if there are no objections we should picket them instead:
Poundland largest city centre store:
167-201, Argyle St, G2 8BU
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
The Salvation Army and Workfare
There is still time to take part in the online action today against the Salvation Army's use of Workfare. They exploit the unemployed, sick and disabled. The Workfare Scheme they use, like all the others, is not voluntary, but is forced unpaid labour with little chance of future employment.
http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/workfare-makes-you-free-claim-salvation-army-join-the-online-day-of-action/
http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/workfare-makes-you-free-claim-salvation-army-join-the-online-day-of-action/
Monday, 18 March 2013
Boycott Workfare - A4e Communications Blockade – Wednesday 20th March
http://www.facebook.com/events/171387819678555/
A4e is one of the biggest beneficiaries
of Government welfare policy. In 2011 the company turnover was £180
million, 100% of which came from the public coffers. Out of this
the bosses shared out £11 million between them. A4e have a
catastrophic record of failing to meet even the paltry minimum
targets set by the Department for Work and Pensions for finding
people jobs on the workfare scheme, the Work Programme. You have
more chance of finding a job without their bullying 'back to work'
tactics. Not content with what amounts to the officially sanctioned
scam of lucrative welfare to work contracts from their friends in
Government there are numerous accusations of fraud against them,
where records are apparently falsified, so that they can claim even
more public money for not doing their job. They are further
subsidised by the public by their use of mandatory unpaid labour
within the company as well. The costs of Workfare are socialised
while the profits are privatised.
We are asking everyone to make their
voice heard once more. Contact A4e and complain about their
involvement in Workfare.
The aim is to shut down their communications as much as possible in order to cause them disruption. They may not listen to individual complaints, but they will take notice when they can't do their day-to-day activities for the sheer volume of complaints coming in! Be polite.
Email A4e: customerservices@a4e.co.uk
The aim is to shut down their communications as much as possible in order to cause them disruption. They may not listen to individual complaints, but they will take notice when they can't do their day-to-day activities for the sheer volume of complaints coming in! Be polite.
Email A4e: customerservices@a4e.co.uk
Head of Communications:
kmccrory@a4e.co.uk
Media Relations Manager:
jkerr@a4e.co.uk
Send secure email via:
https://www.hushmail.com/
Fax A4e Head Office fax number: 0114
275 4632
Send free faxes via: http://www.freepopfax.com/
Send free faxes via: http://www.freepopfax.com/
Many classic books are available as
free PDFs online. Perhaps A4e would like to read them.
Phone A4e Customer Services Freephone
Number: 0800 345 666
Twitter: @OfficialA4e
@AniaMendrek - Operations
Manager
Website Complaints Form: http://mya4e.com/contact-us/complaints-form/
Website Complaints Form: http://mya4e.com/contact-us/complaints-form/
This is part of Boycott Workfare's Week
Of Action 18th-24th March:
DWP Trying to Hide Crisis Loan Replacement
March 16, 2013
The
DWP are attempting to hush up the existence of the scant support
available for those left without any money at all due to delays in
processing benefit claims.From April 1st the discretionary parts of the Social Fund will start to be closed down. This was a pot of money which provided repayable ‘crisis’ and ‘budgeting’ loans to those facing emergencies or awaiting benefit decisions. The fund was also used to provide small ‘community care’ grants – usually to people moving into independent housing for the first time, such as a young person leaving care. These were only available to buy the very basics such as a bed or oven, with prices set at the lowest cost possible for each item.
According to the legislation, some form of crisis and budgeting loan system will still be managed by the DWP. Much of the support however is being devolved to local authorities, many of whom have yet to release clear details on how they will manage the new schemes due to start in just over a fortnight. Many are thought to be introducing some form of smart card or voucher schemes.
A post on the PCS Union website (spotted by @UKJCP ) reveals that loans for those awaiting benefits are to be renamed Short Term Benefit Advances (STBAs). These will be available through Jobcentres providing new claimants meet the following conditions:
“There is an underlying benefit entitlement or reasonable expectation that there is entitlement to benefit;
The claimant can afford to repay – other debt and loan repayments will be taken into account;
There is financial need – there is serious risk to the health and safety of a family member.”
Astonishingly, according to the PCS the “DWP does not intend to advertise the availability of STBAs to the public.”
Which means it’s down to claimants and supporters to make sure that everybody knows about the existence of this scheme. Spread the word and make sure everyone knows about these loans which will be more vital than ever.
UPDATE: Thanks to @anitabellows12 to who’s discovered this document buried on the DWP website which explains the new schemes but contains no information on how to apply: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/budgeting-short-term-advances-guidance-las.pdf
Follow me on twitter @johnnyvoid
BOYCOTT WORKFARE - BOYCOTT THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
Last year the British Heart
Foundation boasted about their involvement in Government Workfare
Schemes in all their shops, “Around 1,000 of (the people working in
their shops] are on placements with us through Work Programme schemes
and 600 [people working in their shops] are placements on Mandatory
Work Activity.”
More and more volunteers, customers
and members of the public have been speaking out against their
exploitation of the unemployed on these forced unpaid labour schemes.
Many veteran volunteers have left BHF in disgust as charity shops
are swamped with unwilling conscripts. Workfare contradicts the
voluntary ethos charities are supposed to uphold.
Pickets, occupations and an online
campaign forced BHF to finally withdraw from the Workfare Scheme,
Mandatory Work Activity, but they are still involved with another
Workfare Scheme, the Work Programme. BHF are trying to pretend that
the Work Programme is voluntary, but they have been told that the
unemployed face losing benefits if they do not comply with the Work
Programme. BHF have to sign a contract stating that they will inform
the Department for Work and Pensions if a benefits claimant does not
comply. The Work Programme gives Workfare Provider Companies the
power to mandate the unemployed, including sick and disabled benefit
claimants, to undertake compulsory work placements.
BHF said they recently established
an important partnership with Job Centre Plus to actively promote
volunteering as an option for anyone who is unemployed and wants to
gain work experience. Because JCP is involved the 'work experience'
is not voluntary. Again the unemployed will have their benfits cut
if they do not comply. Workfare does not help the unemployed. Only
a tiny percentage of people on Workfare go on to get paid employment.
Please keep up the pressure and help make sure this charity which
has profited from exploiting 100s of unemployed people pulls out of
Workfare entirely.
BHF welcome their
supporters contacting them directly if they have any questions about
their participation in the Work Programme. Please email
customerservice@bhf.org.uk.
You can complain about the British Heart Foundation's involvement
with Workfare via the contact page on their website. Ask them to
make a clear public statement that they will immediately withdraw
from all Government Workfare Schemes. You can also contact them on
Facebook and by faxing or phoning -
Sarah
Davies, Customer Services Manager, BHF - Retail Division
Fax - 01372 477509 (send free faxes from www.freepopfax.com)
Tel - 01372 477373
This picket is part of a 'Boycott Workfare' National Week Of Action. They have information on other charities that use Workfare on their website: www.boycottworkfare.org/
Fax - 01372 477509 (send free faxes from www.freepopfax.com)
Tel - 01372 477373
This picket is part of a 'Boycott Workfare' National Week Of Action. They have information on other charities that use Workfare on their website: www.boycottworkfare.org/
Thanks
to Boycott Workfare campaigns the PDSA and Sense withdrew from
Workfare last month. Cancer Research UK, Age UK and Scope withdrew
at the end of last year.
A
guide to all Workfare Schemes and advice on how to avoid them can be
found here:
Organised
by the Crutch Collective -
Claimants
Resisting Unfair Treatment, Cuts and Harassment –
thecrutchcollective@gmail.com
& the
Scottish Unemployed Workers Network - c/o
seanpc76@googlemail.com
Backed
by
Clydeside
Industrial Workers Of The World – clydeside@iww.org.uk
www.iwwscotland.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Clydeside-IWW/216550781713688
Glasgow
Right to Work Campaign - www.facebook.com/groups/119156394809034/
Glasgow
Solidarity Federation – glasgow@solfed.org.uk
www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Glasgow-Solidarity-Federation/237568036376381
www.solfed.org.uk/?q=local/glasgow
Unite
the Union Community Branch – c/o Jack Ferguson, Unite Scotland
Community Coordinator 07711 376562.
BOYCOTT WORKFARE - BOYCOTT SUPERDRUG
Superdrug
have admitted taking on over 500 people on the Government's 'Work
Experience' Workfare Scheme.
It's
good for the bosses and their profits.
But
bad for unemployed people on the Scheme who don't get paid.
It's
bad for all workers - replacing paid jobs, holiday pay & ending
temporary posts.
Workfare
is an attack on us all!
Like
many chain stores, Superdrug, who made a £20 million profit last
year, have been given a massive public subsidy, in the form of
unemployed people working for nothing but their benefits on a
Workfare Scheme. Superdrug suspended their participation in the
Government's 'Work Experience' Workfare Scheme a year ago after
actions against Tesco exposed this scam, but Superdrug began using
the Scheme again from at least last June.
This
Scheme is not only an attack on the unemployed
- who are bullied on to the so-called voluntary scheme by Job Centre
Plus and fraudster workfare provider companies like A4e, or are
forced on to other workfare schemes for refusing to take part in
'Work Experience' that mostly involves stacking shelves for up to 30
hours a week for 8 weeks, and who face sanctions i.e. having their
benefits cut in certain circumstances, while on the scheme.
It
is also a direct attack on Superdrug workers and other workers
- replacing paid jobs, holiday pay & ending temporary posts for
students and others who rely on this type of work.
The
same number of people will be doing the same amount of work – but
thanks to Workfare, Superdrug can replace paid workers with unpaid
ones. Once again, the lies of the Government and businesses, claiming
that Workfare is a way to help people back into work, are exposed.
The exact opposite is true - Workfare is a job destruction scheme.
We
call on Superdrug to end this exploitation and withdraw immediately
from all Workfare programmes
- any workers now working unpaid should be hired straight away.
The
best way to end the iniquity of Workfare is to directly affect the
profits of the companies exploiting it
- we have shown that this works with other companies such as Holland
& Barret
-
join us doing the same to Superdrug!
Until
Superdrug gives in, help us in fighting this attack on all workers’
terms and conditions -
Don't
Shop At Superdrug.
This
picket is part of a 'Boycott Workfare' National Week Of Action. They
have information on other High Street stores that use Workfare on
their website: www.boycottworkfare.org/
A
guide to all Workfare Schemes and advice on how to avoid them can be
found here:
Organised
by the Crutch Collective - Claimants Resisting Unfair Treatment, Cuts
and Harassment – thecrutchcollective@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Crutch-Collective
&
the Scottish Unemployed Workers Network - c/o
seanpc76@googlemail.com
Backed
by Clydeside Industrial Workers Of The World – clydeside@iww.org.uk
www.iwwscotland.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Clydeside-IWW/216550781713688
Glasgow
Solidarity Federation – glasgow@solfed.org.uk
www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Glasgow-Solidarity-Federation/237568036376381
www.solfed.org.uk/?q=local/glasgow
Unite the Union Community Branch – c/o Jack Ferguson, Unite Scotland Community Coordinator 07711 376562.
Unite the Union Community Branch – c/o Jack Ferguson, Unite Scotland Community Coordinator 07711 376562.
Boycott Workfare Actions Glasgow Saturday 23rd March 11am
Meet Front Entrance St Enoch Subway
Station, St Enoch Square, G1 4BW
1st Action, Superdrug, 66
Arygle Street, G2 8AG
2nd
Action, 12 noon, British Heart Foundation, 10
Union Street, G1 3QX
Organised by the Crutch Collective and
the Scottish Unemployed Workers Network.
Backed
by Unite the Union Community Branch, Right to Work, Clydeside IWW and
Glasgow Solidarity Federation.
Facebook
Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/164977433649794/
Edinburgh
Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/429023800520044/
The Co-Op Ditch Atos Recap
http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/co-op-ditch-atos-keep-up-the-pressure-it-works/
We
didn't think it was a co-incidence that the Co-Op made their
statement 3 days before a communications blockade and pickets. Thanks to
the individuals and organisations that invited 3200 to the
communications blocakde, the 400 who signed up to take part and the
dozens who were planning to take part in the pickets. Thanks also to the
individuals and organisations who contacted the Co-Op over the months.
the crutch collective
the crutch collective
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Discretionary Housing Payments
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/discretionary-housing-payments-guide-draft.pdf
Follow the link to the archived page. The information is still the most up tp date that we know is available.
Follow the link to the archived page. The information is still the most up tp date that we know is available.
Saturday, 5 January 2013
Co-Op - Don't Renew The Atos Contract! - Pickets
Co-Op - Don't Renew The Atos Contract! - Pickets
Everywhere
Picket times - From 5p.m. on Thursday 17th January to catch people going home from work and late night shoppers. And anytime on Saturday 19th January.
The Co-Op have said that their new occupational health contract starts in March and that the bidding process for the new contract has already begun. The Co-Op have refused to publicly rule out a bid from Atos. Tendering processes are generally geared towards awarding the contract to the lowest bidder. If the Co-Op were going to make their decision based on ethical concerns, which they have said will be a factor, they would have already publicly rejected a bid from Atos. Atos's unethical behaviour has already been well documented in the mainstream media and Disabled People Against Cuts have compiled a list of Atos's unethical behaviour for the Co-Op. Pickets with calls for boycotts and communication blockades and the resulting damage to a company's reputation does have a significant economic impact and has been shown to work with other campaigns. The Co-Op is particularly vulnerable to such tactics as their ethical image is their unique selling point in their part of the market.
Details of the Communications blockade on Thursday 17th January from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/357131177718217/
----------------------------------------------------
Some background information:
It has recently been discovered that the Co-Op Bank and group of companies have had a 4 year occupational health contract with Atos and that the contract is due for renewal. Atos make huge profits carrying out work capability assessments on sick and disabled people on behalf of the Government. As was exposed by a Channel 4 documentary they automatically pass 7 out of 8 people as fit for work - to comply with Government targets for benefit cuts. Their decisions are not based on objective medical opinion. Citizens Advice Bureau Scotland have received 24,000 complaints about Atos. CAB win 80% of appeals against Atos finding people fit for work. The Daily Record reported on a Government survey that showed half of those found fit for work by Atos end up destitute.
The Government are cutting benefits as part of their austerity measures aimed mainly at the poor, while those responsible for the public debt continue to get richer. Despite the media headlines about one or two bankers losing their bonuses, generally bankers' bonuses and those of company directors continue to grow. Sales in luxury goods are also rising. Nearly 50,000 new property millionaires were created in the UK in 2012. £2 billion of cuts in housing benefit and child tax credit where announced in the chancellor's autumn statement, while £3 billion of cuts in corporation tax was announced in the same statement.
The Co-Op sells itself as an ethical company, but what ethical standards are they maintaining by not publicly ruling out awarding a new contract that gives millions to a company that cuts the benefits of sick and disabled people?
Claimants Resisting Unfair Treatment, Cuts and Harassment http://www.thecrutchcollective.blogspot.co.uk
Supported by
Clydeside Industrial Workers Of The World
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Clydeside-IWW/216550781713688
Glasgow Solidarity Federation
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Glasgow-Solidarity-Federation/237568036376381
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/488541864531259/
The Glasgow picket will be at the Co-Op's new flagship food store at 143 Sauchiehall Street. At least 3 other pickets are being planned in Dundee, London and Southampton. More details to follow.
Everywhere
Picket times - From 5p.m. on Thursday 17th January to catch people going home from work and late night shoppers. And anytime on Saturday 19th January.
The Co-Op have said that their new occupational health contract starts in March and that the bidding process for the new contract has already begun. The Co-Op have refused to publicly rule out a bid from Atos. Tendering processes are generally geared towards awarding the contract to the lowest bidder. If the Co-Op were going to make their decision based on ethical concerns, which they have said will be a factor, they would have already publicly rejected a bid from Atos. Atos's unethical behaviour has already been well documented in the mainstream media and Disabled People Against Cuts have compiled a list of Atos's unethical behaviour for the Co-Op. Pickets with calls for boycotts and communication blockades and the resulting damage to a company's reputation does have a significant economic impact and has been shown to work with other campaigns. The Co-Op is particularly vulnerable to such tactics as their ethical image is their unique selling point in their part of the market.
Details of the Communications blockade on Thursday 17th January from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/357131177718217/
----------------------------------------------------
Some background information:
It has recently been discovered that the Co-Op Bank and group of companies have had a 4 year occupational health contract with Atos and that the contract is due for renewal. Atos make huge profits carrying out work capability assessments on sick and disabled people on behalf of the Government. As was exposed by a Channel 4 documentary they automatically pass 7 out of 8 people as fit for work - to comply with Government targets for benefit cuts. Their decisions are not based on objective medical opinion. Citizens Advice Bureau Scotland have received 24,000 complaints about Atos. CAB win 80% of appeals against Atos finding people fit for work. The Daily Record reported on a Government survey that showed half of those found fit for work by Atos end up destitute.
The Government are cutting benefits as part of their austerity measures aimed mainly at the poor, while those responsible for the public debt continue to get richer. Despite the media headlines about one or two bankers losing their bonuses, generally bankers' bonuses and those of company directors continue to grow. Sales in luxury goods are also rising. Nearly 50,000 new property millionaires were created in the UK in 2012. £2 billion of cuts in housing benefit and child tax credit where announced in the chancellor's autumn statement, while £3 billion of cuts in corporation tax was announced in the same statement.
The Co-Op sells itself as an ethical company, but what ethical standards are they maintaining by not publicly ruling out awarding a new contract that gives millions to a company that cuts the benefits of sick and disabled people?
Claimants Resisting Unfair Treatment, Cuts and Harassment http://www.thecrutchcollective.blogspot.co.uk
Supported by
Clydeside Industrial Workers Of The World
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Clydeside-IWW/216550781713688
Glasgow Solidarity Federation
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Glasgow-Solidarity-Federation/237568036376381
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/488541864531259/
The Glasgow picket will be at the Co-Op's new flagship food store at 143 Sauchiehall Street. At least 3 other pickets are being planned in Dundee, London and Southampton. More details to follow.
Co-Op - Don't Renew The Atos Contract! - Communications Blockade
Co-Op - Don't Renew The Atos Contract! - Communications Blockade
Thursday, 17 January 2013
09:00 until 17:00
Everywhere
The Co-Op have said that their new occupational health contract starts in March and that the bidding process for the new contract has already begun. The Co-Op have refused to publicly rule out a bid from Atos. Tendering processes are generally geared towards awarding the contract to the lowest bidder. If the Co-Op were going to make their decision based on ethical concerns, which they have said will be a factor, they would have already publicly rejected a bid from Atos. Atos's unethical behaviour has already been well documented in the mainstream media and Disabled People Against Cuts have compiled a list of Atos's unethical behaviour for the Co-Op. Pickets with calls for boycotts and communication blockades and the resulting damage to a company's reputation does have a significant economic impact and has been shown to work with other campaigns. The Co-Op is particularly vulnerable to such tactics as their ethical image is their unique selling point in their part of the market.
Hundreds of people have already complained about the contract on TheCo-operative Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheCooperative
and by tweeting @TheCo-operative:
https://twitter.com/TheCooperative
Why not join them and tell the Co-Op that you will stop shopping at their supermarkets or that you will close your Co-Op bank account unless they publicly state they will not be renewing their contact with Atos?
You can also email customer.relations@co-op.co.uk or contact Chris Mills, their Ethical Policy Manager:
chris.mills@co-operative.coop
Telephone: 0161 827 6160
Mobile: 07921 893 949
Facsimile: 01618276230
Up to 5 free faxes can be sent from this website:
http://www.freepopfax.com/
Perhaps you could fax them the gift of a file of a classic book, many of which are available to download for free online.
----------------------------------------------------
Some background information:
It has recently been discovered that the Co-Op Bank and group of companies have had a 4 year occupational health contract with Atos and that the contract is due for renewal. Atos make huge profits carrying out work capability assessments on sick and disabled people on behalf of the Government. As was exposed by a Channel 4 documentary they automatically pass 7 out of 8 people as fit for work - to comply with Government targets for benefit cuts. Their decisions are not based on objective medical opinion. Citizens Advice Bureau Scotland have received 24,000 complaints about Atos. CAB win 80% of appeals against Atos finding people fit for work. The Daily Record reported on a Government survey that showed half of those found fit for work by Atos end up destitute.
The Government are cutting benefits as part of their austerity measures aimed mainly at the poor, while those responsible for the public debt continue to get richer. Despite the media headlines about one or two bankers losing their bonuses, generally bankers' bonuses and those of company directors continue to grow. Sales in luxury goods are also rising. Nearly 50,000 new property millionaires were created in the UK in 2012. £2 billion of cuts in housing benefit and child tax credit where announced in the chancellor's autumn statement, while £3 billion of cuts in corporation tax was announced in the same statement.
The Co-Op sells itself as an ethical company, but what ethical standards are they maintaining by not publicly ruling out awarding a new contract that gives millions to a company that cuts the benefits of sick and disabled people?
Claimants Resisting Unfair Treatment, Cuts and Harassment http://www.thecrutchcollective.blogspot.co.uk
Supported by
Clydeside Industrial Workers Of The World
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Clydeside-IWW/216550781713688
Glasgow Solidarity Federation
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Glasgow-Solidarity-Federation/237568036376381
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/357131177718217/
Thursday, 17 January 2013
09:00 until 17:00
Everywhere
The Co-Op have said that their new occupational health contract starts in March and that the bidding process for the new contract has already begun. The Co-Op have refused to publicly rule out a bid from Atos. Tendering processes are generally geared towards awarding the contract to the lowest bidder. If the Co-Op were going to make their decision based on ethical concerns, which they have said will be a factor, they would have already publicly rejected a bid from Atos. Atos's unethical behaviour has already been well documented in the mainstream media and Disabled People Against Cuts have compiled a list of Atos's unethical behaviour for the Co-Op. Pickets with calls for boycotts and communication blockades and the resulting damage to a company's reputation does have a significant economic impact and has been shown to work with other campaigns. The Co-Op is particularly vulnerable to such tactics as their ethical image is their unique selling point in their part of the market.
Hundreds of people have already complained about the contract on TheCo-operative Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheCooperative
and by tweeting @TheCo-operative:
https://twitter.com/TheCooperative
Why not join them and tell the Co-Op that you will stop shopping at their supermarkets or that you will close your Co-Op bank account unless they publicly state they will not be renewing their contact with Atos?
You can also email customer.relations@co-op.co.uk or contact Chris Mills, their Ethical Policy Manager:
chris.mills@co-operative.coop
Telephone: 0161 827 6160
Mobile: 07921 893 949
Facsimile: 01618276230
Up to 5 free faxes can be sent from this website:
http://www.freepopfax.com/
Perhaps you could fax them the gift of a file of a classic book, many of which are available to download for free online.
----------------------------------------------------
Some background information:
It has recently been discovered that the Co-Op Bank and group of companies have had a 4 year occupational health contract with Atos and that the contract is due for renewal. Atos make huge profits carrying out work capability assessments on sick and disabled people on behalf of the Government. As was exposed by a Channel 4 documentary they automatically pass 7 out of 8 people as fit for work - to comply with Government targets for benefit cuts. Their decisions are not based on objective medical opinion. Citizens Advice Bureau Scotland have received 24,000 complaints about Atos. CAB win 80% of appeals against Atos finding people fit for work. The Daily Record reported on a Government survey that showed half of those found fit for work by Atos end up destitute.
The Government are cutting benefits as part of their austerity measures aimed mainly at the poor, while those responsible for the public debt continue to get richer. Despite the media headlines about one or two bankers losing their bonuses, generally bankers' bonuses and those of company directors continue to grow. Sales in luxury goods are also rising. Nearly 50,000 new property millionaires were created in the UK in 2012. £2 billion of cuts in housing benefit and child tax credit where announced in the chancellor's autumn statement, while £3 billion of cuts in corporation tax was announced in the same statement.
The Co-Op sells itself as an ethical company, but what ethical standards are they maintaining by not publicly ruling out awarding a new contract that gives millions to a company that cuts the benefits of sick and disabled people?
Claimants Resisting Unfair Treatment, Cuts and Harassment http://www.thecrutchcollective.blogspot.co.uk
Supported by
Clydeside Industrial Workers Of The World
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Clydeside-IWW/216550781713688
Glasgow Solidarity Federation
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Glasgow-Solidarity-Federation/237568036376381
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/357131177718217/
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