Blacklist Support Group (including 4 UNITE EC members) occupying London offices of Skanska was just one of the highlights of the UNITE Day of Action against Blacklisting which included protests against blacklisting firms across the UK and ended in lobbies of parliament in Westminster and Holyrood. Film length: 4:22
Balfour Beatty’s site on Sussex University near Brighton, where they are building student accommodation, was shut down for two hours as activists blockaded the entrance during the Blacklisting Day of Action – one of many actions throughout the country. Students joined blacklisted construction workers and trade unionists from UNITE in demanding Balfour Beatty allow the union onto the job as stipulated in national agreements. The notorious blacklisting company’s refusal to recognise the union shows that these human rights violations continue in the industry – and the university site can expect further direct action and protests until the union is allowed on site to inspect the conditions. Film length: 8:01
Blacklisting Day of Action in Scotland: Film length: 9:27
and in London at Parliament: Film length: 1:59
Every parliamentarian who attended the events at Westminster & Holyrood, including John McDonnell, Richard Leonard, Jack Dromey, Chris Stephens, Neil Findlay, Laura Piddock, Rebecca Long Bailey, Angela Rayner, Louise Haig, Jon Ashworth, Chuka Umunna and many others publicly called for 3 key demands:
- Full public inquiry into blacklisting
- Blacklisting to be made a criminal offence
- No publicly funded contracts for firms involved in blacklisting
Great contributions from Tony Sweeney, Paul Filby and Shrewsbury campaigners to keep the MPs and unions on their toes. As acknowledged by Gail Cartmail, UNITE AGS, nothing will ever be achieved unless the rank and file keep pushing for it.
