| Synopsis: |
The major construction firms that established and funded a systematic blacklist of construction industry workers appear to be continuing to avoid taking full responsibility for their actions. While the blacklist was not initially illegal, it was always morally indefensible, and the companies involved continued to use it after it had become illegal. The organisation set up to create, maintain and operate the blacklist - the Consulting Association (TCA)- appears to have been largely established by Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd. Other major subscribers included Skanska and Balfour Beatty: the Committee has so far taken evidence from these three firms and intends to call more of those involved. Through the TCA the companies set up a structure which allowed them to submit names and information on workers they deemed to be unsuitable, workers who raised legitimate grievances over health and safety and other industrial issues, to a central list and to check prospective employees, or the employees of subcontractors on their sites, against this list. The emphasis throughout was on secrecy and no acknowledgement that such a system existed.The Committee's inquiry so far has raised a series of complex questions, particularly about compensation, which the Committee will consider in the next phase of the inquiry. The Committee says the Information Commissioner's Office, which raided TCA in 2009 and ultimately caused it to be closed down, should do more and work with the trade unions to locate and notify people that were on the blacklist, as they cannot begin to seek redress without this information |