UCATT to Stage Manchester Demonstration in Support of Blacklisting Victims

Construction union UCATT will be holding a demonstration in support of victims of blacklisting outside Manchester Employment Tribunal on Tuesday 24 November. The tribunal will be hearing the initial cases of blacklisted construction workers.

Tuesday 24^th November

Manchester Employment Tribunal

Alexandra House

14-22 Parsonage

Manchester

M3 2JA

9.30am

In March 2009 it was revealed by the Information Commissioner that a company, the Consulting Association, run by Ian Kerr, was operating a secret blacklist containing the names and details of over 3,000 construction workers. Over 40 major construction companies were using its services to blacklist workers.

The Manchester Employment Tribunal on Tuesday 24 November will hear the cases of the first group of workers who have tabled cases against the construction companies who blacklisted them. The Employment Tribunal Service has grouped together many of the blacklisting tribunal cases and has directed the Manchester Employment Tribunal to initially hear the cases.

The decision to group the cases at the Manchester Tribunal is symbolic, a large number of UCATT members in the North West were blacklisted.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of construction union UCATT, said: “Hundreds of construction workers had their lives ruined by the blacklisters. Many of them were forced out of the construction industry. This is the first opportunity workers have had to win justice from the construction companies who blacklisted them.”

Much of the information contained on the blacklist related to a worker’s union membership. In particular workers who had taken on the role of a health and safety representative or had been a whistleblower on dangerous sites were targeted.

In 1999 the Government passed legislation which outlawed blacklisting however the necessary regulations were not introduced. The Government have now consulted on introducing anti-blacklisting regulations. It is anticipated that they will publish new regulations outlawing blacklisting in the near future.

George Guy, Regional Secretary for UCATT’s North West Region, said: “A large number of UCATT’s activists in the North West were blacklisted, these workers deserve justice. Everyone involved in blacklisting must be brought to book.”

John Winstanley a longstanding UCATT member from Liverpool, who was repeatedly blacklisted throughout his working life and whose case is being heard on Tuesday will be available for interview on the day and by arrangement in advance.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235 .

UCATT represents 125,000 members employed in the construction industry throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

Notes to Editors: Due to blacklisting not being illegal Mr Kerr was charged with data protection offences as he was not registered to hold such information. He pleaded guilty and was fined £5,000.