Call for public inquiry into blacklisting


The barriers to justice faced by thousands of workers whose lives have been blighted being blacklisted by a secretive organisation set up by the UK largest construction companies are laid bare in a new report from the Institute of Employment Rights


Blacklisting: the need for a public inquiry sets out how 44 construction firms worked together to blacklist workers with a history of raising health and safety issues or fighting for decent pay and conditions through their trade union activity and membership.


Author Dave Smith, a blacklisted worker himself, describes the long process of seeking justice after the Information Commissioner’s raid on The Consulting Association. The raid uncovered the widespread blacklisting operation, with files on thousands of workers.


Smith highlights the numerous obstacles faced by victims in their fight for justice. These include the ridiculous time limits on submitting a claim to an employment tribunal and the ease with which employers could force victim into an out-of-court settlement, so avoiding a “guilty” verdict and reputational damage.


The book ends with a call for a public inquiry that would force those involved to publicly account for their actions and recommends changes to legislation that would protect workers vulnerable to blacklisting now and in the future.


www.ier.org.uk/publications/blacklisting-need-public-inquiry-including-manifesto-against-blacklisting