All the union news that's fit to blog...
IN THE MATTER OF THE UNDERCOVER POLICING INQUIRY IN THE MATTER OF TRANCHE 3 Opening statement on behalf of the Blacklist Support Group Undercover police officers infiltrated and spied on trade unions. They reported on union meetings, union activists, union campaigns, and industrial disputes. Their intelligence reports were added to Special Branch Registry Files, …
Continue reading “Opening statement from the Blacklist Support Group to undercover policing inquiry”
Legal papers applying for a Judicial Review have been submitted against the chair of the undercover policing inquiry by blacklisted union activist Dave Smith. The application, to be decided on by a High Court judge, is hoping to overturn the “unreasonable” and irrational” decision by Sir John Mitting not to allow Smith to give oral …
Continue reading “Spycops inquiry chair faces legal challenge by blacklisted union activist”
Campaigners are calling for the release of all police files relating to the spycops scandal, after recently disclosed Special Branch documents prove that undercover police reported on union members speaking at meetings to request solidarity. One such file (400/84/165, excerpt reproduced above), until recently subject to a Restriction Order, was compiled by an undercover police spy …
Continue reading “Spycops scandal: All police files must be released, victimised site workers say”
Reinstate Lee Fowler – electrician sacked after raising concerns about safety on site in Liverpool.
PROTEST
Thursday 20 April, 1:00pm
Cargill site
The Dock Road
Bootle
L20 8DF
SAFETY BEFORE PROFIT
Further information
Morning Star. Socialist Par…Read more…
Unite is stepping up its search for information into the possible collusion by trade union officials into the blacklisting of construction workers. In April 2022 Unite established an independent inquiry into allegations that some union officials may have colluded with the blacklisting of construction workers. Workers were frequently denied work for raising safety concerns on …
Continue reading “Evidence sought in independent blacklisting collusion inquiry”
Blacklist Support Group statement Solidarity with Lee Fowler, who has been dismissed by the electrical contractor Bilfinger after he raised safety issues at the Cargill’s Refinery site in Merseyside (next to the new Everton football stadium construction project). The experienced and highly qualified electrician made several complaints about unsafe working conditions and helped four …
Continue reading “Another electrician fired after raising site safety concerns”
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE Claim No: QB-2021-000523 QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION BETWEEN: DANIEL GUY COLLINS Claimant And (1) CROSSRAIL LIMITED (2) COSTAIN GROUP PLC (3) COSTAIN LIMITED (4) COSTAIN CIVIL ENGINEERING LIMITED (5) COSTAIN ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION LIMITED (6) COSTAIN INTEGRATED SERVICES LIMITED (7) SKANSKA UK PLC (8) SKANSKA CONSTRUCTION UK LIMITED (9) SKANSKA …
Continue reading “Royal Courts of Justice – full statement on the Daniel Collins case”
Unite news release. 21 March 2023. A landmark case involving allegations of contemporary “blacklisting” on the flagship Crossrail project has concluded following a statement in open court yesterday (Monday 20 March). Skilled electrician Unite member Daniel Collins, an electrician, took a case for blacklisting, breaches of data protection and misuse of private information against construction …
Victisation dispute at Murphy’s, Limerick, Ireland Central London protest, 14 March Construction giant Murphy’s has sacked four Unite members, including the long standing steward, for attending a union meeting in a site canteen in Limerick. Originally 14 workers were suspended but only those most associated with the union were dismissed. This is blatant union victimisation. …
Blacklist Support Group update and statement The public inquiry into undercover policing held hearings this week at the end of Tranche 1, and involved a number of lawyers making closing statements based on the evidence so far. The most important statement was from the Counsel to the Inquiry – which was effectively a summary of …
Continue reading “Spycops inquiry confirms spying on unions and blacklisting”
Electricians are demanding energy firms SSE and Scottish Power intervene after one of their contractors allegedly sacked and blacklisted three colleagues when they sought recognition for their union Unite. They warn labour shortages in the booming high voltage energy sector could lead to an erosion of safety standards without the protective effect of unions and …
Continue reading “Electricians protest at blacklisting in high voltage sector, warn of safety risks”
Lord Tebbit has revealed when he was Secretary of State for Employment in the Thatcher government (1981-83), he received reports from senior Special Branch officers about union activists, which…Read more…
My name is Dave Smith, and I am an ex-construction worker who has been granted Core Participant status in the union strand of this Inquiry. I am speaking on behalf of the Blacklist Support Group, a…Read more…
Blacklist Support Group supports 2 linked demands for the construction sector: #ShutTheSites – Close all non-essential building sites to keep workers and their families safe #PAYEveryworker…Read more…
Blacklist Support Group news release On Wednesday 6 March 2019, the 10th Anniversary of the building industry blacklist being exposed, a newly released police report proves that the police shared…Read more…
A construction boss who played a pivotal role in orchestrating a blacklisting scandal that targeted union safety activists will face the courts, the union Unite has pledged. The union said it “is…Read more…
The Crossrail project could face industrial action over the firing of a well-regarded union safety activist. The looming dispute centres around Birmingham electrician Martin Overy, a former Unite…Read more…
Cosmetics brand Lush has been praised by campaigners for its nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the ‘spycops’ scandal, which has seen union, safety, environmental and other activists’ groups…Read more…
Protests are planned across the UK plus a lobby of MPs at Westminster. The Blacklist Support Group is urging supporters to publicise the events and where possible to attend. Bring your banners and…Read more…
Blacklist Support Group statement Big Ben will now cost £61m to renovate and all that taxpayers’ money will be trousered by the kings of blacklisting Sir Robert McAlpine Limited. Despite a…Read more…