Usdaw welcomes plans to scrap blacklists

08.07.09

Usdaw is welcoming the Government’s move to make the blacklisting of employees for trade union activities illegal.

The Government has launched a six-week consultation into the practice of creating or using blacklists, which companies sometimes use to sack or not employ people in the first place for reasons that can be as innocent as belonging to a union.

The Union is already campaigning with the Government against the use of the National Staff Dismissal Register, run by a group called Action Against Business Crime. This blacklist includes details of shopworkers who have been dismissed or left their company for a range of acts including theft or damage, whether they were guilty or not.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, said:

“No blacklist should be lawful, whether it identifies workers for their trade union activities or is based on conjecture about the honesty of individual employees.

“There is already a Criminal Records Bureau, which employers can check to ensure they are making safe appointments. The blacklisting of individuals where there has not been a prosecution is grossly unfair; particularly as the individual is rarely aware they have been blacklisted.

“We live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty. That is a point we will be making very strongly to Government in our response to the consultation.”