Blacklist bosses to be named and shamed

Construction bosses who personally sanctioned the use of blacklists in the industry are set to be named and shamed.

The move means managers at construction giants like Balfour Beatty, Kier and Sir Robert McAlpine could be publicly outed for their role in the blacklist scandal, reports the online trade publication Construction Enquirer.

The decision follows a 12 month legal fight by anti-blacklist campaigners to have made public all the documentation unearthed in the Information Commissioner’s investigation last year. Employment details of thousands of workers were held illegally by The Consulting Association, used by construction firms to vet prospective employees.

A legal ruling means the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) must now reveal full details of a number of test cases. Other victims of the blacklist are expected to follow suit and bring claims for full disclosure following the ruling by Manchester Employment Tribunal. The test cases that established the full disclosure precedent involve prominent campaigners against the blacklist including Phil Willis and Steve Acheson.

A spokesperson for the Blacklist Support Group said the precedent was “brilliant”, adding: “This is a major victory for blacklisting campaigners in the courts. Most of the multinational companies involved in The Consulting Association conspiracy have frustrated all attempts to gain further documentation in this case – now the evidence will be out in the public domain for all to see.”

Documentation, invoices, correspondence and business and organisational relationships between The Consulting Association and construction firms must be released under the terms of the ruling.