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| Blacklisting must be eradicated from Britain for good | Blacklisting must be eradicated from Britain for good |
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| Last time I penned a column for Comment is free, Unite the union was locked in a battle with contractors at Crossrail, the largest engineering project in Europe, over claims that workers were blacklisted for raising health and safety concerns. Unite's campaign to get Frank Morris his job back looked like an uphill struggle. He was an electrician who said he was sacked while working on Crossrail for trade union activity. But thanks to trade union solidarity and dogged determination a resolution was recently reached and Morris is back at work and able to support his family once more. I'm delighted – this is a fantastic result on its own – but news that the Welsh government is now taking tough action to eradicate blacklisting is a major leap forward in our campaign for justice. | |
| In future, public sector bodies such as schools and hospitals in Wales can exclude blacklisters from bidding for their contracts under new government rules. This is a powerful message to campaigners – by getting out there and fighting for justice we can make real progress. | In future, public sector bodies such as schools and hospitals in Wales can exclude blacklisters from bidding for their contracts under new government rules. This is a powerful message to campaigners – by getting out there and fighting for justice we can make real progress. |
| It strengthens my resolve to get justice for the Shrewsbury 24. My comrades and I were imprisoned and later blacklisted just because we were prepared to stand up to the gaffer. In 1972 I was involved in the first national building workers' strike. We pulled off a big victory: we won tradesmen and labourers £30 a week across the board. The basic rates of pay went up by £6 a week for craftsmen and £5 a week for labourers. We proved that organised trade unions could make the building trade fairer for workers. | It strengthens my resolve to get justice for the Shrewsbury 24. My comrades and I were imprisoned and later blacklisted just because we were prepared to stand up to the gaffer. In 1972 I was involved in the first national building workers' strike. We pulled off a big victory: we won tradesmen and labourers £30 a week across the board. The basic rates of pay went up by £6 a week for craftsmen and £5 a week for labourers. We proved that organised trade unions could make the building trade fairer for workers. |
| But I paid a huge price for this victory, as did lots of my fellow union members. I spent 16 months in prison for my role in helping to organise the campaign, along with my friend Des Warren. He died in 2004 and we firmly believe this was linked to the tranquilliser drugs administered to him in prison. Dezzie and I were two members of the Shrewsbury 24, who were the victims of a miscarriage of justice. The campaign goes on today to fully clear our names. After I got out of prison I was put on an employers' blacklist. I couldn't get work in the building trade again and it is why I ended up looking for acting work. | But I paid a huge price for this victory, as did lots of my fellow union members. I spent 16 months in prison for my role in helping to organise the campaign, along with my friend Des Warren. He died in 2004 and we firmly believe this was linked to the tranquilliser drugs administered to him in prison. Dezzie and I were two members of the Shrewsbury 24, who were the victims of a miscarriage of justice. The campaign goes on today to fully clear our names. After I got out of prison I was put on an employers' blacklist. I couldn't get work in the building trade again and it is why I ended up looking for acting work. |
| I know the pain and hopelessness of being blacklisted. It is now time for the Scottish and Westminster governments to follow the Welsh lead and wipe blacklisting off the face of Britain for good. The Welsh government understands that taxpayers' money should not end up in the pockets of companies that abuse basic human rights. There is no reason why Scotland and Westminster should sit on their hands. | I know the pain and hopelessness of being blacklisted. It is now time for the Scottish and Westminster governments to follow the Welsh lead and wipe blacklisting off the face of Britain for good. The Welsh government understands that taxpayers' money should not end up in the pockets of companies that abuse basic human rights. There is no reason why Scotland and Westminster should sit on their hands. |
| On 20 November, the TUC will be holding a national day of action where unions will be calling on employers who have been knee deep in blacklisting to own up, clean up and pay up. It's time employers who blacklisted workers admit their mistakes and stop trying to beat workers in the courts on technicalities when they have lost the moral argument. The construction industry needs to clean up its act and introduce clear and transparent recruitment processes. It is also time that workers who were blacklisted over decades get a full public apology and compensation. But I also throw down the gauntlet to the blacklisting contractors and demand they open their doors to blacklisted workers looking for a job. | On 20 November, the TUC will be holding a national day of action where unions will be calling on employers who have been knee deep in blacklisting to own up, clean up and pay up. It's time employers who blacklisted workers admit their mistakes and stop trying to beat workers in the courts on technicalities when they have lost the moral argument. The construction industry needs to clean up its act and introduce clear and transparent recruitment processes. It is also time that workers who were blacklisted over decades get a full public apology and compensation. But I also throw down the gauntlet to the blacklisting contractors and demand they open their doors to blacklisted workers looking for a job. |
| Blacklisting has ruined lives and broken up families; it has led to years of unemployment for thousands. The unions are making real progress in bringing blacklisters to justice and getting our politicians to listen, and a few of them are even beginning to act. The victory at Crossrail and action from the Welsh government should be the turning point in eradicating blacklisting. Good men and women should not have to fear becoming destitute just because they were prepared to support their fellow workers. | Blacklisting has ruined lives and broken up families; it has led to years of unemployment for thousands. The unions are making real progress in bringing blacklisters to justice and getting our politicians to listen, and a few of them are even beginning to act. The victory at Crossrail and action from the Welsh government should be the turning point in eradicating blacklisting. Good men and women should not have to fear becoming destitute just because they were prepared to support their fellow workers. |