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Blacklisting is getting easier, thanks to the erosion of workers' rights Blacklisting is getting easier, thanks to the erosion of workers' rights
(about 2 months later)
Imagine one day you voice concerns with your boss about a faulty fire door or not receiving the right amount of pay. You are quickly shown the exit and can never again find work in your chosen industry.Imagine one day you voice concerns with your boss about a faulty fire door or not receiving the right amount of pay. You are quickly shown the exit and can never again find work in your chosen industry.
This is exactly what happened to thousands of workers across Britain's construction industry, when a "blacklist" of workers was circulated to prevent them ever working again.This is exactly what happened to thousands of workers across Britain's construction industry, when a "blacklist" of workers was circulated to prevent them ever working again.
Blacklisting is shameful. It causes misery for those on the blacklist and their families. And it deters other workers in a dangerous industry from raising real risks, for fear of lifelong branding as a troublemaker.Blacklisting is shameful. It causes misery for those on the blacklist and their families. And it deters other workers in a dangerous industry from raising real risks, for fear of lifelong branding as a troublemaker.
The practice was exposed in 2009. The offices of the notorious Consulting Association were raided, revealing a list of more than 3,000 names.The practice was exposed in 2009. The offices of the notorious Consulting Association were raided, revealing a list of more than 3,000 names.
What made this issue toxic for successive governments was the revelation that more than half of the country's leading construction firms were paying an annual subscription of £3,000 to get access to this list.What made this issue toxic for successive governments was the revelation that more than half of the country's leading construction firms were paying an annual subscription of £3,000 to get access to this list.
Listen to ministers of any government, and the rationale for rights at work is normally the need to bear down on a few rogue employers letting the side down. Yet here the majority of a sector crucial to the economy was caught red-handed doing something we usually associate with the security apparatus of oppressive dictatorships.Listen to ministers of any government, and the rationale for rights at work is normally the need to bear down on a few rogue employers letting the side down. Yet here the majority of a sector crucial to the economy was caught red-handed doing something we usually associate with the security apparatus of oppressive dictatorships.
This is why workers hit hard by blacklisting are still fighting for justice. The latest project to face allegations of blacklisting is Crossrail over claims that workers have been sacked for raising health and safety concerns about the development.This is why workers hit hard by blacklisting are still fighting for justice. The latest project to face allegations of blacklisting is Crossrail over claims that workers have been sacked for raising health and safety concerns about the development.
The Scottish affairs select committee's recent report found "compelling evidence" that blacklisting is still taking place on major construction projects in the UK. Its chairman has called on the business secretary, Vince Cable, to mount a "full and thorough" investigation, following what he said was "clear proof" the practice is continuing.The Scottish affairs select committee's recent report found "compelling evidence" that blacklisting is still taking place on major construction projects in the UK. Its chairman has called on the business secretary, Vince Cable, to mount a "full and thorough" investigation, following what he said was "clear proof" the practice is continuing.
Cable has referred the matter to the information commissioner, but this is not enough. The government is finding time to rush through a lobbying transparency bill that does precious little to regulate lobbying, but ties up trade unions in unnecessary red tape. It should bring the same determination to putting right a real injustice.Cable has referred the matter to the information commissioner, but this is not enough. The government is finding time to rush through a lobbying transparency bill that does precious little to regulate lobbying, but ties up trade unions in unnecessary red tape. It should bring the same determination to putting right a real injustice.
While it is good to hear Cable condemn the practice of blacklisting, he is part of a government that is making it harder for employees to speak out against injustice. Last year employees were made to wait an extra year for protection against unfair dismissal. This means any employee with less than two years of service can be sacked just for looking at their boss the wrong way.While it is good to hear Cable condemn the practice of blacklisting, he is part of a government that is making it harder for employees to speak out against injustice. Last year employees were made to wait an extra year for protection against unfair dismissal. This means any employee with less than two years of service can be sacked just for looking at their boss the wrong way.
And this week has seen employment tribunal fees brought into law which means that even if an employee has unfair dismissal protection it will now cost them as much as £1,200 to take a case to a hearing. Blacklisting and other bad treatment – whether by rogue backstreet employers or household names – is getting easier, not harder.And this week has seen employment tribunal fees brought into law which means that even if an employee has unfair dismissal protection it will now cost them as much as £1,200 to take a case to a hearing. Blacklisting and other bad treatment – whether by rogue backstreet employers or household names – is getting easier, not harder.
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