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The Socialist 18 April 2012 |
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Disabled people fighting back
Neil Cafferky
The Con-Dem attacks on the welfare state and workers' rights bear down particularly heavily on disabled people.
Disabled people have suffered a double attack as services they depend on to allow them to participate in everyday life are cut. The government's supposed solution involves farming those services out to the private sector.
However in a cruel twist, many of the benefits that disabled people could have used to partly pay for these services are being cut back or withdrawn entirely. Many people will be forced to rely on charity organisations. In these circumstances the old disabled movement slogan of 'rights, not charity' is coming back on the agenda.
At the same time, disabled people in work are also under attack with the announcement of the closure of 36 Remploy factories employing 1,752 people, 1,518 of whom are disabled.
These attacks are being met with a determined fightback by disabled campaign groups and trade unions representing Remploy workers.
On 18 April Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) held a protest in London to highlight their opposition to cuts.
On Thursday, the next day, there is a joint meeting between the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN), Right to Work and DPAC as part of a campaign to stop the closure of Remploy factories. NSSN and Socialist Party member Les Woodward, chair of the GMB Remploy group will be one of the speakers. 7.30pm, ULU, Malet Street, London WC1.
The following day at noon, Unite are organising a protest outside the offices of the DWP headquarters on Tothill Street, central London, as part of their campaign against the closures.
Finally on 26 April Unite will be organising a public meeting where Remploy workers will put the case for the positive impact continued operation of the factories have on their lives.
In this issue
Socialist Party news and analysis
 Strike on 10 May! Vote TUSC on 3 May!
10 May strike will re-ignite pensions battle
Scrap the act! Unions must call national demo to save NHS
The revolting philanthropy of the filthy rich
Welsh government slashes student grants
NUS needs a fighting leadership
Clegg's text message plans make us LOL!
Them & Us
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
On 3 May use your vote to: Shake up politics and fight all cuts!
Vote Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) on 3 May
Come and hear TUSC candidates standing in your area
Socialist Party workplace news
Re-elect the PCS fighting leadership
Usdaw conference
Health service pensions - reject the deal - coordinated action needed
Changing the trade unions into combative organisations
Socialist history
1932 - mass trespass won the right to roam
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Pro-choice action in Worthing
No to cuts: make the bosses pay!
Disabled people fighting back
Success at Varndean College, Brighton
Obituary: Arthur Deane
International socialist news and analysis
USA: An 'inspiring vibrant movement'
Tunisia: Brutal government crackdown on protesters will backfire
Reviews and Comment
Grim toll for hidden police racism
The Hunger Games
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