Support for Pension Dignity at the University of Dundee

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Call for action on Blacklisting

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Discussing the important issue of blacklisting with George Ramsay from UCATT,
 Richard Leonard from the GMB, Jim McGovern MP and Cllr Norma McGovern
Dundee City Council has considerable financial clout and we should be using this for the benefit of the people of Dundee. That's why it is important that contracts with construction firms should include clauses about employing a local workforce, that's why contracts should encourage companies to train apprentices. I think that the council should be looking at what we can do to combat blacklisting. The Scottish Affairs Select Committee has highlighted that blacklisting of workers has gone on in construction industry. People have been denied work because they had been concerned about health and safety or been active in their trade union. I think that this is unacceptable.


People should not be discriminated against because they are trade unionists. We should be looking for ways to ensure that no publicly funded contracts go to companies which are involved in blacklisting. Workers should be actively encouraged to have a concern for health and safety they should not be discriminated against for it.


I would like to praise the work of the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee, which includes Dundee West MP Jim McGovern, in highlighting blacklisting. I want to see action from the UK Government and the Scottish Government which will allow councils and other public bodies to take action which will allow them to do all they can to prevent blacklisting. I want Dundee City Council to make a stand and say that we are opposed to blacklisting and that we will work hard to ensure that no public money is spent on contracts with companies which operate a blacklist.


This is an issue of fairness. The City Council should be working to ensure that all workers whether employed directly by the council or indirectly via contracts are treated fairly. We should also send out the message loud and clear that we think that health and safety is important and that it is scandalous that anyone should lose their job because they are concerned about health and safety.

I am looking to bring forward a motion at a meeting of the City Council on 19 August on blacklisting.  I hope that it will receive cross-party support.