Blacklister ousted from Labour conference

Construction unions have welcomed a decision by the Labour Party to bar blacklisting construction firm Carillion from its conference. A stand originally allocated to the construction giant was taken over by UCATT, after the Labour executive withdrew the Carillion invitation. The stand was then used by UCATT to promote the anti-blacklisting campaign and the campaign for Justice for the Shrewsbury Pickets. Steve Murphy, general secretary of UCATT, said: 'Labour is the party of natural justice and therefore it is entirely appropriate that a stand which would have been used to promote a company involved in blacklisting, will now be used to promote the campaign against blacklisting and Justice for the Shrewsbury Pickets.' UCATT explained that the pickets were charged and convicted on 'trumped up charges' following the 1972 building workers' strike. The pickets are campaigning to have their convictions overturned. Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, said: 'The Labour Party must be applauded for kicking Carillion out of the exhibition hall at its conference. Clearly they are as sick as the rest of the Labour Movement by Carillion and their blacklisting mates.' He added: 'For any worker to be represented by a trade union in their workplace is a civil right that must be protected to the highest level, with new legislation backed by imprisonment and unlimited fines for anyone who interferes with it. For the Labour Party, these should be bread and butter manifesto commitments right now.' A list of nine major companies responsible for blacklisting over 1,100 construction workers was circulated by GMB at the Labour conference.

• UCATT news release. GMB news release and blacklisters' list.