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UCATT plays an active part in the political sphere, working with a number of other trade unions, public bodies and political parties to improve the lot of everyone working in our industry. This page tells you about some of our current activity, as well as offering an archive of past stories.
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Barckley Sumner, UCATT Press and Research Officer
General Office: 020 7622 2442
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Tuesday, 15 September 2009

New anti blacklisting document launched

Construction union UCATT today launched a new document which details the measures the Government needs to undertake to ensure that blacklisting is entirely eradicated in Britain.

The document titled: Ruined Lives, was commissioned by UCATT from the Institute of Employment Rights and written by Professor Keith Ewing. The document formed UCATT’s evidence to the Government’s consultation on blacklisting which closed last month.

The document sets out the history of blacklisting, why it remained legal and the exact circumstances which led to the discovery and eventual prosecution of Ian Kerr and the Consulting Association.

The document powerfully argues that the Government’s current proposals are too narrow. The new regulations when introduced should specify that it is illegal to blacklist anyone because of “activities associated with trade unions” and that if a blacklist is discovered it should be forfeited and all the people on the list notified that they have been blacklisted.

The report also argues that to use or maintain a blacklist must be a specific criminal offence. If a worker has been blacklisted then they should receive an automatic award for basic compensation. If the blacklisting has resulted in loss than there should be an entitlement for an additional compensatory award.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: “The report sets out clearly what needs to be done to ensure that blacklisting can never again take place. While we welcome the Government’s commitment to introduce regulations to outlaw blacklisting it is essential that they are fully comprehensive.”

In his opening address to TUC Congress on Monday 14th September Brendan Barber the TUC General Secretary, pledged his organisation’s opposition to blacklisting, he said: “And let’s make sure the disgusting anti-democratic practice of blacklisting is outlawed once and for all, and today let us offer our solidarity to those construction workers who suffered because of the shameful activities of Ian Kerr and all those companies who disgracefully used his services.”

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

To download a copy of the report click here.