Borough to ban companies found to have blacklisted construction workers

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is claiming to have become the first council in the country to take action against the blacklisting of construction workers.

A meeting of the full council on 18 September agreed an emergency motion that:

  • formally stated Tower Hamlets’ support of the GMB union’s campaign against the blacklisting of construction workers. This practice saw workers perceived to be union activists prevented from accessing employment.
  • it would be unacceptable for any company in a contractual relationship with the council to engage in blacklisting.

Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “Tower Hamlets was the first council to introduce the London Living Wage in 2009 and we take the welfare and well-being of working people very seriously.

“I am proud to say that not only does Tower Hamlets not have any active contracts with the companies involved in this practice, but that it never will.”

Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite the Union said: "Tower Hamlets is blazing a trail by becoming the first London council to stamp out blacklisting. This is a fantastic development and we commend the council for their positive action. We are urging other councils to take note of the Tower Hamlets decision to ban the blacklisters and to follow suit."

Leigh Day, acting on behalf of the GMB, has begun legal action at the High Court on behalf of members of the union who were allegedly blacklisted by construction employers.

Chris Benson from the law firm said: “This is a very powerful message to any company who seeks to illegally deny employment to workers based on any form of blacklisting. It is not acceptable and it will have consequences, not only in Court but also in a loss of contracts.

"We would now urge more local authorities, of all political persuasions, to follow Tower Hamlet’s lead and support those men and women whose livelihoods were taken from them."