Government Pledges End To Blacklists

The government has pledged to put an end to blacklisting of safety reps and other union activists.

Harriet Harman, deputy leader of the Labour Party, told the House of Commons on 12 March that the government would be working with the Information Commissioner and unions to ensure that these 'scurrilous activities' are ended.

Ms Harman said: 'I don't think a trade union health and safety representative should find they are on a blacklist and will never be able to work again. We are totally opposed to that and want to make sure there is most effective enforcement of it.'

Ms Harman was replying to a parliamentary question from MP Mick Clapham. His Early Day Motion is demanding that the laws on blacklisting, which are already in place, should be implemented immediately.

The 1999 Employment Relations Act included provisions to make blacklisting illegal. But these provisions have never been enacted into law.

UCATT general secretary Alan Ritchie welcomed the government commitment. He said: 'It will be the first step in the fight for justice for our members who have been discriminated against and denied work purely because of their trade union activities.'

Last week, the Information Commissioner revealed that the Consulting Association had files on over 3,000 construction workers. Over 40 construction companies, including major names in the industry, were clients.

UCATT said it is 'believed that health and safety representatives have been a particular target of blacklisters.' The union added: 'Many safety representatives have reported being laid off or finding it difficult to secure work after highlighting unsafe sites and dangerous working practices. It is feared that this has impacted on site safety.'

Interestingly, nothing is mentioned of the government sponsored blacklist which was part of a BERR intitiative that allows employers to blcklist on a centrally held databse, the names and full details of those employees leaving a company eitehr as a result of dismissal due to theft or other reasons, or simply those suspected of offenses against companies.

Known as the National Dismissal Register, Unionsafety reported on this May of last year. See original news item here

Source: TUC Risks

Designed, Hosted and Maintained by Union Safety Services