Category: Blacklisting

Blacklisting, Bullying & Blowing the Whistle

Blacklist Support Group are co-hosting a major employment rights conference in September at the University of Greenwich.

Bringing together activists & academics, politicians, unions and lawyers to expose the hidden underbelly of the modern workplace. Confirmed contributors include: John McDonnell, Michelle Stanistreet, Gail Cartmail, John Hendy, Roger McKenzie, Art Against Blacklisting – many more speakers to be announced.

Come along, spread the word and be part of setting the political agenda on workers rights (plus on Friday evening there will be a Blacklisting Victory party with live music & DJs)

http://www.gre.ac.uk/business/services/events/events/current/BlacklistingBullyingBlowingtheWhistle

 

 

2. When Len McCluskey said that that MI5 could be covertly undermining the Corbyn leadership, he was condemned as a conspiracy theorist. Perhaps his critics should take a look at the evidence of legal democratic campaigns being infiltrated by undercover police and the security services.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/22/intelligence-services-using-dark-practices-against-jeremy-corbyn

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-whistleblower-reveals

http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2016/07/19/no-hiding-place-spycops-scotland/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/25/len-mccluskey-adds-context-to-his-comments-on-mi5?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_b-gdnnews

 

3. Video shown at UNITE Policy Conference in Brighton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqxaoXansLY

Bill Harvey, Jessica Sparrowhawk, Sandy MacPherson, Bridgett & Darrel Crapper represent

 

4. Solidarity

Solidarity – Wood Street Cleaners

Wood Street cleaners have WON the London Living Wage but have voted unanimously to stay on indefinite strike until their sacked union reps are reinstated.

Day 50 on strike – protest – Time for our entire movement to mobilise in support of this heroic dispute.

5pm Wednesday 27th July

https://www.facebook.com/events/1559648911010367/

 

Solidarity with the striking Offshore workers

https://uniteoffshore2015.org/%E2%80%A6/support-unite-rmt-members-%E2%80%A6/

http://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/9249/offshore-protestors-gather-at-shell-depots-to-vent-anger-at-strike-scab-workforce-plans/

http://www.thenational.scot/news/staff-on-shell-installations-stage-overtime-ban-over-pay-changes.20369

 

Solidarity with the Durham TAs

http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/14609841.Overwhelming_support_for_Durham_teaching_assistants_at_The_Big_Meeting/?ref=fbshr

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/durham-teaching-assistants-demand-action-11645852

 

Solidarity with Hazards conference – this weekend

http://www.hazardscampaign.org.uk/?cat=7

 

5. Davey Hopper R.I.P.

Blacklist Support Group wish to send condolences to the famioy and friends of Davy Hopper, Durham NUM. Funeral this Friday.

http://www.durhamminers.org/funeral_announcement_dave_hopper

 

6. The short film ‘Apologies’ by Lucy Parker about the blacklisting scandal is showing as part of an exhibition from Tuesday this week until 28th August

Jerwood Space, 171 Union Street, Bankside, London, SE1 0LN.

 

7. Corbyn keeps pushing the case for blacklisted workers at Durham & Tolpuddle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjpAdkKRcIY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2NqB5H5cP4

 

 

1. Neil Findlay MSP names Gayle Burton from Costain in Scottish parliament as key link between the police and the blacklist.

This is a big breakthrough but amazingly none of the media have picked it up.

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/sp/?id=2016-06-30.0.0&s=blacklist#g0.2

https://www.facebook.com/NeilFindlayMSP/videos/699567036848294/

 

2. Corbyn and McDonnell stood with blacklisted workers in our time of need. Now they are under attack, the Blacklist Support Group stand with them.

Morning Star Feature article: http://morningstaronline.co.uk/a-87f5-Jeremy-has-stood-by-victimised-workers-time-and-again-now-well-stand-by-him

Roy Bentham speaking at a Liverpool Keep Corbyn rally http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/thousands-attend-liverpool-rally-support-11558159

 

3. Blacklist Support Group to host a major employment rights conference at University of Greenwich on 16-17 September

Blacklisting, Bullying, Whistleblowing & Police Surveillance

Everyone welcome – to register for the conference contact: [email protected]

Please note: within the 2 days, a stand alone session will be set aside for the BSG AGM.

 

4.Current victimisation of union reps

BSG Solidarity with the Wood Street cleaners – blacklisted workers and Art Against Racism supported a group of cleaners based at Wood Street in the City of London after they were sacked for joining a trade union and asking for the London Living Wage. This dispute has the potential to turn into this generation’s Grunwick – please support the strikers

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6EUjE6PxjE

photos: http://guy-smallman-photos.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/UVW-Hunger-Strike-4-7-16/G0000ptle.pPBFag/I0000OBUkFu8fAzc

 

Gingsters pasty’s sack Baker’s union activist

http://www.bfawu.org/bfawu_activist_sacked_for_seeking_union_recognition_at_samworth_brothers

 

London Met UCU branch sec & chair both dismissed

https://uculondonmet.wordpress.com/2016/07/09/reinstate-mark-and-david-say-no-to-victimisation-of-union-reps/

 

5. BSG out and about:

Durham Miners Gala with Stewart Emms speaking at the historic NUM Rednalls offices

Speakers Forum & Art Against Blacklisting in the Shangri-La area of Glastonbury https://www.facebook.com/AAB3213/

 

7. Art

Glasgow School of Art award rebuild contract to Kier

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/14594110.Artists_demand_Glasgow_School_of_Art_reconsider_contract_with_contractor_involved_in___39_blacklist__39__scandal/

Lucy Parker’s film: Blacklist – being made with support of the BSG now has its own website:

http://www.blacklistfilm.co.uk/

If your union branch is looking for a speaker – think of inviting Lucy (or just making a donation)

 

8. UNITE Policy Conference

Unite conference was held in Brighton this week and passed a unanimous resolution on blacklisting moved by Dave Walsh and seconded by Tony Seaman.

Jeremy Corbyn got a huge ovation when he talked about courageous blacklisted construction workers struggle for justice. Blacklisted for trying to improve dignity for workers improving safety and conditions.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/a-8ba5-How-Unite-aims-to-help-end-the-scourge-of-blacklisting

 

9. Strike news

Offshore workers vote 99% in favour of industrial action – stick that up your TU Bill ballot threshold

http://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/North-Sea-Offshore-Workers-Back-Strike-Action-Over-Drastic-Pay-Cuts.html

Employers prepare by hiring ‘scab labour’

http://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/9133/shell-hiring-scab-workforce-ahead-of-anticipated-strike-action/

 

Fawley Power station hit by strike action by migrant workers complaining about non payment of full rates of pay within national agreements

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/fawley-oil-refinery-strike-over-half-pay-for-foreign-workers/

 

 

10. BLACKLISTED t-shirts

After countless requests, the Blacklist Support Group iconic ‘BLACKLISTED’ t-shirts are now available to buy from the Hope Not Hate website.
Proceeds from t-shirts go back into the campaign

http://shop.hopenothate.org.uk/component/hikashop/product/78-blacklisted-t-shirt

 

11. Dates for the diary:

Tolpuddle Festival – this weekend – solidarity greetings to everyone attending

 

Hazards Conference 29-31 july

http://www.hazards.org/victimisation/perverted.htm

http://strongerunions.org/2016/07/11/mesothelioma-statistics-show-need-for-action/

 

Construction Rank & File national meeting

6th August

UNITE Holborn HQ – all building workers welcome – especially from UCATT

https://www.facebook.com/events/1027002747354455/

 

12. Seven years too late – CIPD statement on blacklisting

http://www.cipd.co.uk/pm/peoplemanagement/b/weblog/archive/2016/07/07/why-a-positive-approach-to-trade-union-relationships-makes-sense.aspx

 

Blacklist Support Group

book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/

 

 

1. Jo Cox R.I.P.

Blacklist Support Group send their condolences to the family and friends of Jo Cox at this appalling time.

 

The murder of a Labour MP by someone shouting ‘Britain First’ and with apparent links to fascist groups is not an isolated incident, it is a one of numerous assaults, murders, petrol bombings and terrorist attacks by the far-right over the past decade. A number of fascists have been sent to prison for these attacks and for possession of firearms, chemical weapons and bomb making equipment. If you cannot remember them, that is because the mainstream media barely mentions these outrages, not because they do not occur. This far-right terrorist fringe does not exist in splendid isolation, it operates within the wider context of xenophobia, racism and intolerance whipped up by politicians and the press. This is a dangerous time with the rise of the far right across all of Europe. BSG stand shoulder to shoulder with those taking a stand to fight against fascism, wherever is raises its head.

 

2. BSG on tour

Glastonbury Festival – Thurs 23rd July, Speakers Forum

 

Marxism Festival – Thurs 30th June, Institute of Education, 7pm

 

National Shop Stewards Network conference – Sat 2nd July, Conway Hall, 11am

 

Durham Miners – Fri 8th July, Rednalls, 4pm

 

3. Guilty as sin

Dave Smith was found guilty with conditional discharge – which means no fine.

During the 2 day trial in which 5 police officers gave evidence, the suffragettes, Anti-Apartheid, the Stephen Lawrence justice campaign, fights to keep hospitals open and the Blacklist Support Group were all name checked as movements that have all on occasions used civil disobedience to highlight greater human rights injustices. Unfortunately, the judge still found us guilty.

Dave said after the decision.

“Huge ‘thank you’ to my superb & principled legal team JC Townsend & Liam Dunne from Guney Clarke & Ryan, who fought the case purely on the basis of upholding the democratic right to protest (as enshrined in Article 10 & 11 of ECHR). Plus John Bryan and Guy Smallman who acted as witnesses & the video footage of the incident by Reel News. And to everyone who came down to court or sent messages of support – it is really appreciated. I am blessed to have such good friends & comrades”.

 

4. Blacklisting condemned at the United Nations

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/scotlands-biggest-union-condemns-15-billion-government-bonanza-for-blacklisters/

 

5, Ongoing victimisation of union activists

Kumaran Bose – Gingsters pie makers sack Bakers union activist

http://www.bfawu.org/bfawu_activist_sacked_for_seeking_union_recognition_at_samworth_brothers

Wood Street cleansers sacked for organising a union and asking for the London Living Wage – United Voices of the World

http://www.uvwunion.org.uk/uvwnews/2016/6/14/day-5-of

 

6. Have you downloaded the BSG campaign song yet?

Blacklist Number 1 by Sean Taylor reached Number 3 in the Amazon Blues charts and Number 7 in the Folk charts on its first week.

Keep up the momentum – download the track and support the campaign.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blacklist-Number-1/dp/B01G9U6DKA

Any homemade videos of groups of union members singing the chorus should be uploaded to the BSG FB page

 

Keep the Faith

 

Blacklist Support Group

1. Corbyn & Burnham pledge a public inquiry for blacklisting

This week both Jeremy Corbyn and Andy Burnham made speeches praising the Blacklist Support Group and calling for a full public inquiry into blacklisting. The Leader of the Labour Party made his speech at the GMB conference in Bournemouth while the Shadow Home Secretary raised the issue during a debate in the House of Commons over the Investigatory Powers Bill.

Corbyn speech to GMB congress http://www.gmb.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/228629

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/victory-millions-workers-tories-drop-8128402

Andy Burnham’s full speech (from 952 in Hansard) https://hansard.parliament.uk/…/160…/InvestigatoryPowersBill

http://www.thenational.scot/comment/cat-boyd-a-public-inquiry-would-shed-light-on-dark-side-of-building-business.18496

http://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/tories-ditch-law-allowing-police-to-spy-on-unions/07/06/

 

2. Undercover police spying on activists

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-7acc-Blacklist-spy-cop-scandal-reaches-Britains-railways#.V1gWUfkrLs0

http://reportphotos.com/albums/qO1oC/undercover-police-officer-carlo-neri-at-union-meeting-1/5b8e82c0c8a22d8fd64cfb398a9b31347bbc57de

http://m.heraldscotland.com/news/14537083.Undercover_policing_scandal__why_the_Pitchford_Inquiry_must_apply_to_Scotland/

 

3. Dave Smith trial

The twice adjourned trial following dave Smith’s arrest for protesting against blacklisting will take place on Thurs 9th – Fri 10th June at City of London Magistrates Court (next to Bank tube station).
It’s a public gallery, so anyone who wants to come along is more than welcome. BSG protest outside the court from 9:15am

https://uniteresist.org/2016/06/support-blacklist-support-group-secretary-dave-smith-as-rescheduled-trial-starts-9am-thursday-9-june/

 

4. After the High Court admission of guilt – stop giving publicly funded contracts to blacklist firms

http://www.governmentbusiness.co.uk/news/07062016/councils-must-stop-using-blacklisted-workers-gmb-cautions

http://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/stop-giving-work-to-companies-involved-in-blacklisting-councils-urged-11364066295683

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/regional/stop-giving-work-to-companies-involved-in-blacklisting-councils-urged-1-7948225

 

5. More construction workers killed in Qatar

http://www.ituc-csi.org/qatar-11-killed-in-labour-camp#.V1VMtfsxpuk.facebook

 

6. Art Against Blacklisting

Support the Blacklist Support Group campaign song

Blacklist Number 1 by Sean Taylor

Download the song – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blacklist-Number-1/dp/B01G9U6DKA

Share the video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2rZNQ-m_Pg

 

Art Against Blacklisting at Glastonbury

http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/shangri-la/shangri-hells-occupied-corporate-headquarters/

 

Any Means Necessary – play by Kefi Chadwick

special read one off exclusive through in London next Wednesday 15th June – contact Kefi for tickets [email protected]

 

Blacklist Support Group

book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/

 

 

The trial of Dave Smith takes place in the City of London Magistrates Court on Thurs 9th – Fri 10th June following his arrest for blocking after traffic in Park Lane during a protest against blacklisting of union members in the construction industry. The secretary of the Blacklist Support Group and co-author of the book Blacklisted has been on bail for over 15 months since his arrest on 18th March 2015. The companies involved in the blacklisting have recently admitted their guilt, paid out millions in compensation and apologised for their involvement in The Consulting Association conspiracy in the High Court.

 

Smith does not deny standing in the middle of the central London thoroughfare but is claiming that he has a democratic right to protest and that includes causing minor disruption to traffic. This right being enshrined in Article 10 (freedom of expression) and Article 11 (freedom of assembly) of the European Convention on Human Rights. In fact, Smith is providing video evidence of the incident as part of his legal submission.

Video of the Park Lane protest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLuP7iYDAfg

Video of Dave Smith’s speech outside the court on the first trial date (that was adjourned): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72i1oSHOh48

 

The trial is about whether it is lawful to exercise every citizens’s democratic right to protest.

 

John McDonnell MP, who contacted the police on behalf of Smith on the night of his arrest commented:

“Blacklisted workers have suffered a grave injustice. Direct action has been an essential part of exposing that injustice. The action taken by Dave Smith stands in a long standing tradtion of direct action in this country. I fully support Dave Smith and his colleagues”

 

Dave Smith commented:

“Not a single company director responsible for blacklisting has been forced to appear in court for their role in the scandal. But if blacklisted workers protest about the human rights conspiracy, we could face a criminal conviction. That speaks volumes about the British legal system”.

 

Smith’s pro-bono legal team of John Carl Townsend (barrister) and Liam Dunne (solicitor) of Guney, Clark & Ryan solicitors, were central players in the High Court blacklisting trial. The attached legal ‘skeleton argument’ presented to the court provides an in depth explanation of the legal issues at stake.

 

Attached photos from Guy Smallman (NUJ)

 

Blacklist Support Group protest

9:15am Thursday 9th July

o/s City of London Magistrates Court

1 Queen Victoria Street London EC4N 4XY.

(next to Bank tube station)

 

 

This happened at the High Court on 11th May:

 

9:30am – John McDonnell MP joins blacklisted workers outside the High Court celebrating their legal victory against the major construction firms. McDonnell reminds the crowd how he chaired the first ever meeting of the Blacklist Support Group back in 2009 with less than 10 people present – but now we have won a famous victory. McDonnell tells the 100s of supporters and the world’s media and his millions of twitter followers that “compensation is one thing, justice is another”

 

10:30am – Roy Bentham, blacklisted carpenter from Liverpool, makes an application not to be bound by the settlement agreement but to be able to continue to the full trial representing himself. Bentham tells the court how as a Hillsborough survivor he had waited 27 years for justice with many false hopes in courtrooms over the decades. He explains that he wants to continue to ensure that those responsible for the blacklist are called to account. “A bit of compensation here and there is not justice.”  There was a spontaneous round of applause and cheering from the packed public gallery.

Lord Justice Supperstone ruled against Roy and denied him the right to appeal. Responding Bentham said: “This will be judged in time because this hasn’t been justice today. I look at the episode in this courtroom as a failure of the British justice system”.

 

11am – Construction firms at the centre of the blacklisting conspiracy were forced to make a grovelling apology “for the distress and anxiety caused to workers and their families”. A six page agreed statement (attached) was read in open court which reads like a history of blacklisting in construction from the 1960s, covering the covert operations of the ‘Services Group’ within the notorious Economic League until the discovery of The Consulting Association blacklist in 2009. Senior company directors including Cullum McAlpine are named in the statement which ends with an apology from the firms.

 

While welcoming the agreed statement for putting on public record the shameful activities that have tarnished the reputation of an entire industry, blacklisted workers remain extremely skeptical about how genuine the apology really is. Even now the firms cannot bring themselves to use the toxic word ‘blacklisting’, despite the British Parliament passing the Blacklist Regulations 2010 in order to outlaw the disgraceful practice as a direct response to the Consulting Association scandal.

 

11:30am At the point where Caldercott QC apologised on behalf of the firms, the High Court hearing was interrupted for several minutes by chants of ‘No Justice – No Peace’ by blacklisted workers and an impromptu speech by Dave Smith who told the court, “Under no circumstances do we consider this to be a sincere apology.”

 

12:00 – The judge rules the High Court blacklisting group litigation  is concluded – blacklisted workers, lawyers and supporters went to the pub to celebrate our victory.

 

BSG would like to publicly thank all the legal teams who have worked on out behalf over many years but especially JC townsend and Liam Dunne who have been with us from the very start. Without GCR, there would not have been any High Court litigation.

 

 

Blacklist Support Group statement:

“The victory in the High Court is vindication for our campaign..

The multi-million pound settlements are a major hit for any organisation.

The admissions wrung out of the blacklisting companies are enormous.

 

The grassroots campaign combined with the legal fight has brought us to this point. But the Blacklist Support Group do not agree with the wording of the apology, nor do we think it is sincere.

The only thing the firms are sorry for is getting caught.

This is not the end of the matter – this is unfinished business.

 

Blacklist Support Group demand a full public inquiry to fully expose the blacklisting human rights conspiracy and the collusion between big business and the shadowy anti-democratic elements within the police. We are hardworking men and women used to getting our hands dirty. We are not giving up until the job is completed

 

Full justice still needs to be fought for – but tonight we celebrate

All those who have stood with us over the past 7 years, raise a glass to celebrate”.

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/11/construction-firms-apologise-in-court-over-blacklist

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/payouts-for-blacklisted-workers-confirmed-amid-high-court-protests-34705298.html

http://m.building.co.uk/5081639.article?mobilesite=enabled

 

Blacklist Support Group

book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/

 

1. High Court

Construction firms pay out millions to settle more blacklisting claims but the fight for justice continues.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-5820-Blacklist-wretches-pay-250m#.VyhdvfkrLs0

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/29/blacklisted-workers-secure-compensation-construction-firms

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britains-biggest-building-firms-agree-7864460

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36173104

http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/contractors-settle-blacklisting-litigation

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/unite-statement-on-blacklisting/

 

2. Hillsborough

Blacklist Support Group would like to pay tribute to the tremendous campaign by the families and supporters of the 96 football fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough. Their 27 year campaign for justice has finally been vindicated in court with the verdict of unlawful killing. The Hillsborough campaigns are an inspiration to millions around the world and prove that when we are steadfast in our fight for the truth, even the rich and powerful will be brought to account in the end.

 

3. Third elected MSP found on blacklist

https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/3906/rosie-kane-former-msp-was-on-blacklist-of-trade-unionists-and-activists

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/its-sinister-ex-socialist-msp-7817196#ICID=sharebar_facebook#TVowEfMjw34m2vp4.97

 

Academic who criticized Police Scotland is on blacklist – but his file has been destroyed

http://m.heraldscotland.com/news/14464136.Blacklisted__Scots_law_lecturer_named_in_secret__do_not_employ__dossier/

 

4. Workers Memorial Day

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/construction-workers-queensferry-crossing-vote-7858841#RQygmlqMZ2EWHuV8.97

 

5. Scottish Labour Election Manifesto:

“A Scottish Labour Government will stand up for citizens’ individual rights and protect the Human Rights Act. We will right the wrongs for the people denied that basic human right to work — a Scottish Labour Government will deliver a full inquiry into the practice of blacklisting trade unionists in Scotland”.

 

6. ‘Blacklisted’ is shortlisted for the Bread & Roses book award 2016

Sat 7th May at London Radical Bookfair

http://www.bread-and-roses.co.uk/

 

7. Strikes & Protests

North Sea

http://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/8253/breaking-industrial-action-in-north-sea-as-63-sea-shell-workers-down-tools-and-demand-choppers/

https://socialistworker.co.uk/art/42608/Unofficial%20strike%20on%20the%20North%20Sea%20rigs:%20send%20solidarity

 

Solidarity with scaffs and labourers striking for one rate for the job at the Polmadie waste-to-energy site, Glasgow. Next 48 hour strike Tuesday 3 May

NG Bailey – direct employment

 

Victimized union activists:

https://camdenunison.org.uk/2016/04/27/camden-unison-members-vote-for-strike-action-in-defence-of-victimised-steward/

http://www.uniteforoursociety.org/page/speakout/justice-for-alison-

 

8. Undercover police

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/25/woman-who-lived-with-police-spy-criticises-bbc-drama-undercover?CMP=share_btn_tw

 

 

Blacklist Support Group

book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/

 

 

Blacklist Support Group today announced that it intends to make a formal submission to the Metropolitan Police calling for an investigation into the destruction of documents and computer files by multinationals involved in the blacklisting scandal.

High Court orders have resulted in retrieved computer records from construction firms only recently being disclosed to the lawyers of blacklisted workers. This previously hidden evidence indicates that computer hard drives were destroyed, email accounts were deleted and correspondence was shredded by companies appearing in the High Court litigation.

Witness evidence and documents provided by Ian Kerr (chief executive of The Consulting Association) to a Select Committee investigation indicate that over 90% of the paperwork held by the blacklisting body was burnt on a bonfire and instructions were given to destroy other evidence. The destruction of the documents and computer files occurred at the same time as the ICO was carrying out an investigation, a criminal trial was taking place, hundreds of Employment Tribunal cases were still live, cases were submitted to the European Court of Human Rights and a High Court group litigation trial was being prepared.

Now the newly disclosed evidence is available to blacklisted workers, it is felt that there is a strong case that the course of justice may have been deliberately perverted. A dossier is being compiled for legal opinion before considering pressing for the DPP to charge individuals involved with TCA and possibly the CEOs who sanctioned their illegal activity.  Perverting the course of justice is an indictable criminal offence without statute of limitations. If a person is found guilty of concealing evidence sentencing guidelines suggest a two year term of imprisonment.

Dave Smith – BSG secretary commented:

“The pieces in the jigsaw are now coming together, albeit many are lost forever. The stench of corporate wrongdoing is no longer a moral issue but potentially a serious criminal offence. We will be doing everything in our power to make sure the police and the DPP take this matter seriously. The rich and powerful may think they are above the law but blacklisting will not be covered up like Saville was. Whatever the outcome in the High Court, our dossier will be handed into the police. If senior individuals gave orders or knowingly colluded in destroying documents that anyone could have predicted would undoubtedly have been used as evidence in numerous legal proceedings, they need to be held to account for their actions”.

Howard Beckett Legal Director at Unite said:

“The reason given by the defendants for poor disclosure is to openly admit to a corporate policy of ensuring the destruction of documents. Their attempts to deny meaningful levels of compensation and to deny conspiracy allegations rely upon the lack of records. Multiple legal cases became inevitable the very day that the Consulting Association was established, let alone the day it was raided. People clearly felt their actions were unlawful, why else the secrecy and why else routinely destroy documents. The Consulting Association was a secret conspiracy and Cullum McAlpine, a named defendant was at the core of it. McAlpine is determined to avoid giving evidence at the High Court but for the sake of justice, he needs to now confirm he will appear to finally allow the victims of blacklisting to ask how far this conspiracy goes.”

 

1. Blacklisted workers taunted by central figure in the blacklisting conspiracy

http://www.mirror.co.uk/opinion/blacklisting-victims-havent-suffered-enough-7752746

 

2. Blacklisted workers speak at the High Court about how standing up for fellow workers affected their families

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV7lL2Gm9zw

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2016/04/13/blacklist-contractors-pay-out-another-15-20m/

Please share and circulate this video far & wide – and donate to Reel News

 

3. Cullum McAlpine ‘mastermind’ behind blacklisting conspiracy refuses to give evidence in High Court trial

http://unitelive.org/the-fight-goes-on/

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/blacklisting-mastermind-refuses-to-give-evidence-at-high-court-hearing/

http://www.buildingconstructiondesign.co.uk/news/blacklisting-mastermind-refuses-to-give-evidence-at-high-court-hearing/

 

4. George Tapp – working class hero – has been awarded £80,000 compensation for the life changing injuries he suffered after he was run down by a motorist whilst handing out leaflets at a blacklist protest against the construction giant BAM during the Crossrail dispute. Well done to the union & lawyers for fighting the case.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-8957-Court-Awards-Blacklist-Hero-Tapp-80,000

 

5. Overview of the High Court trial

https://undercoverinfo.wordpress.com/2016/04/13/blacklisting-the-blacklisters-the-evidence-subscribers-key-players-finances-etc/

 

6. Undercover police spied on the Grunwick strikers & caused the abandonment of the Grand National

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2016/apr/13/covert-police-spied-on-strikers-and-their-supporters-in-iconic-dispute

https://network23.org/redblackgreen/2016/04/10/1993-the-year-the-grand-national-was-sabotaged-with-help-from-special-branch/

 

Major conference on undercover police spying on activists this coming weekend – with an all star line up of speakers and a workshop on blacklisting

http://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=107

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2016/mar/30/doreen-lawrence-to-speak-at-conference-on-undercover-policing-and-racism

 

7. Blacklist firm Balfour Beatty also exploiting construction workers in Qatar

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/13/balfour-beatty-interserve-accused-migrant-worker-labour-abuses-qatar

 

8. Mildred Gordon R.I.P.

Mildred Gordon MP for Bow & Poplar and an active supporter of the Construction Safety Campaign has passed away. http://eastlondonnews.co.uk/former-bow-poplar-mp-mildred-gordon-dies/

“Is it not true that, in this country, no employer who has been found guilty of negligence that has caused a fatal accident on a building site has ever been imprisoned for criminal negligence? Should not such employers be sentenced? If it is their fault that a worker dies, is it not true that only imprisonment will make them take the matter seriously? When great profits are at stake, fines of £400, or even £2,000, will not improve the position”

9. Construction & Offshore safety concerns

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/building-firm-bosses-jailed-after-11159729#ICID=Android_MENNewsApp_AppShare

https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandgas/north-sea/106583/scottish-government-candidates-grilled-offshore-workers-safety/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EV+Daily+Newsletter+2016-04-13&utm_term=Energy+Voice+-+Newsletter

 

 

Blacklist Support Group

book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/