Blacklisted reps win breakthrough

A delegation of blacklisted trade unionists and safety representatives from the Blacklist Support Group held private talks in Brussels last week with EU commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion Laszlo Andor.

The meeting was facilitated by Labour MEPs Stephen Hughes and Glenis Willmott and the delegation said that the "genuinely positive response from Commissioner Andor exceeded all our expectations."

Mr Andor was presented with documentary evidence from Brian Higgins, Steve Acheson and Dave Smith in the form secret blacklist files kept about their activities as union safety reps in the British construction industry.

The files were compiled bay the Consulting Association and the group claims they contain damning evidence that major multinational building firms systematically dismissed and victimised workers who raised concerns about health and safety issues or unpaid wages.  

Blacklisted bricklayer and Ucatt representative Brian Higgins said: "The blacklist is an economic, social and political prison. I have served a life sentence and other workers continue to be imprisoned."

And Mr Hughes told the Star: "The meeting was very positive and the delegation received a fair hearing. Mr Andor said he was very concerned at reports that the practice was continuing.

"Blacklisting is a genuine issue which affects all member states and I will work with colleagues to address this serious concern and apply parliamentary pressure to trigger action."

"This meeting is the beginning, not the end, of a process. Once we have planted the seed with Commissioner Andors, we will follow up with action in the European Parliament's employment committee and the full parliament."

paddym@peoples-press.com