Lord Young reveals plan to stamp out 'despicable practice' of barring trade union activists from employment

The practice of barring trade union members from employment through the use of blacklists is to be officially outlawed, it was announced today.

Employment relations minister Lord Young unveiled the plans to ban employers from blacklisting workers because of their trade union membership or activities.

The move comes as the government publishes its response to a public consultation on the subject held over the summer, and follows evidence that a number of employers in the construction sector had been unlawfully vetting workers.

The minister said: “Blacklisting someone because they are a member of a trade union is totally unacceptable.

“There is already legal protection against the misuse of people's personal details. We will now strengthen the law by introducing new regulations to outlaw the compilation, dissemination and use of blacklists.

“The government is determined to stamp out this despicable practice and our legislative proposals are a proportionate and robust response.”

The regulations will:

  • make it unlawful for organisations to refuse employment or sack individuals as a result of appearing on a blacklist
  • make it unlawful for employment agencies to refuse to provide a service on the basis of appearing on a blacklist
  • enable individuals or unions to pursue compensation or solicit action against those who compile, distribute or use blacklists.

The government plans to table the regulations for parliament to consider as soon as possible. They will then be debated and approved by the House of Lords and House of Commons before they can be implemented.

The regulations could be brought into effect early next year, provided parliament gives its approval.

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