Call for public inquiry into construction blacklisting

A packed meeting of the Blacklist Support Group has called for a public inquiry into corrupt practices in the British construction industry. MPs, academics, leading human rights lawyers and blacklisted building workers all endorsed the call for an inquiry.

by Tribune Web Editor
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

by Phil Chamberlain

A packed meeting of the Blacklist Support Group has called for a public inquiry into corrupt practices in the British construction industry. MPs, academics, leading human rights lawyers and blacklisted building workers all endorsed the call for an inquiry.

The meeting was called to discuss the covert and illegal blacklisting of trade unionists by leading British building firms. Ian Kerr of the Consulting Association (and formerly of the Economic League) was fined £5,000 for his role in the blacklisting of trade unionists but, so far, the 44 major construction multinationals involved in the conspiracy have got away scot free.

John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes & Harlington, said: “This is one of the worst ever cases of organised abuses of human rights in the UK. I fully support your campaign for justice and I will be raising the issue of a public inquiry in parliament. There is already considerable support in the House.”

The meeting also discussed proposed new blacklisting regulations which could become law by issue of a statutory instrument in this session of parliament.

Professor Keith Ewing said: “What is needed is an absolute legal right not be blacklisted, firm sanctions against companies supplying information to the blacklist and financial compensation for every individual on the blacklist. The proposed regulations as put out to consultation are so full of holes they are hardly worth the paper they are printed on.”

Colin Trousdale, a blacklisted electrician from Manchester, said: “This is not something that went on in the past; the blacklist is still being used today. I am not interested in the money, I am interested in getting back to work. I am interested in justice.”

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About The Author

  • Robert

    I worked for two of the biggest companies, the brown envelope brigade was rife at one time, payments to people to look the other way. I knew what contract we would get a year before we got it, we knew McAlpines would get that one Balfour’s would get that and we get that one 9 out of 10 we be right.

    then the banning of Union men, god thats been going on for donkey years I use to get a list of names not to employ, but I’d employ them because i was a Union man, sod them until of course my name was placed on the list.

  • Robert

    I worked for two of the biggest companies, the brown envelope brigade was rife at one time, payments to people to look the other way. I knew what contract we would get a year before we got it, we knew McAlpines would get that one Balfour’s would get that and we get that one 9 out of 10 we be right.

    then the banning of Union men, god thats been going on for donkey years I use to get a list of names not to employ, but I’d employ them because i was a Union man, sod them until of course my name was placed on the list.

  • Dave

    Hi Robert

    there are currently almost 90 Employment Tribunal cases tasking place around the blacklisting issue, mostly concerning UNITE and UCATT union members.

    Most of the evidence in the cases comes from the blacklisting files themselves but the companies are paying top dollar for the best legal represntation that money can buy.

    If you were previously a manger for a contsruction firm and have any first hand knowledge of how the blacklisting operated, a witness statement would be very useful to the union claims.

    If you feel you can help please get in touch:

    blacklistSG@googlemail.com

  • Dave

    Hi Robert

    there are currently almost 90 Employment Tribunal cases tasking place around the blacklisting issue, mostly concerning UNITE and UCATT union members.

    Most of the evidence in the cases comes from the blacklisting files themselves but the companies are paying top dollar for the best legal represntation that money can buy.

    If you were previously a manger for a contsruction firm and have any first hand knowledge of how the blacklisting operated, a witness statement would be very useful to the union claims.

    If you feel you can help please get in touch:

    blacklistSG@googlemail.com

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