Blacklist firm faces legal fight
Monday 25 February 2013
Printable
EmailAn anti-blacklisting campaigner will tomorrow bring a landmark case against Carillion and two subsidiaries alleging that the construction giant breached his human rights.
The case brought by engineer Dave Smith of the Blacklist Supporters Group will be heard at an employment appeal tribunal in London.
If successful, the case would significantly extend the Human Rights Act's remit into the area of employment law.
The proceedings have been lodged against Carillion, Carillion (JM) Ltd and Schal International Management Ltd.
Mr Smith says he was repeatedly dismissed and refused work once his name appeared on the illegal Consulting Association blacklist after he raised concerns about asbestos, poor toilet facilities and contaminated waste on building sites controlled by companies in the Carillion Group.
Lawyers for Mr Smith say that in British employment law human rights only apply to direct employees and so the tribunal should extend legal protection to all workers.
Mr Smith said: "It is not illegal to be a member of a trade union - but it is illegal for big business to systematically breach an individual's human rights."
A Carillion spokeswoman said it would not be appropriate to comment before the hearing.
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