Council takes action on blacklisting

A London council — Islington — has taken action to ensure it does not do business with companies that are involved in blacklisting.

Firms who want council procurement contracts must now show they do not practice blacklisting, and those who have used blacklisting in the past must prove they have ended the practice and taken sufficient measures to remedy their past wrongs. 

Any council contractor caught using blacklisting in the future will have their contract terminated.

The council’s Procurement Board — the corporate watchdog for major contracts — will scrutinise the process.

Council leader Richard Watts has urged other London councils to follow Islington’s lead.

Councillor Andy Hull, Islington Council’s executive member for finance and performance, said: “Blacklisting is an immoral practice that has unfairly caused huge suffering for many workers and their families.

“We are making a stand against an unfair employment practice that has ruined too many lives and we are challenging the government to hold a public enquiry into this malpractice, which has been widespread.”

Maria Ludkin, national officer for legal and corporate affairs at the GMB general union, welcomed such “robust governance from local authorities”.

She said: “It is the only effective guarantee that blacklisting will be stamped out, and workers who were blacklisted compensated by companies seeking public sector contracts.”

www.islington.gov.uk/islington/news-events/news-releases/2014/march/Pages/PR5224.aspx