Unite tells MPs about the Crossrail 'blacklist'

THE blacklisting of workers on Europe's largest construction project is on-going, 'organised and systematic,' MPs have been told. Appearing before the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee, which is conducting an inquiry into blacklisting, Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said the evidence it was happening on London's Crossrail scheme was circumstantial but people could 'join up the dots.' Crossrail denies workers have been blacklisted for raising safety concerns on the £150 billion project and has pledged to act on any substantive evidence. However, Ms Cartmail branded the Crossrail consortium and contractor BFK as 'congenitally uncurious' about claims of blacklisting. Despite the closure of covert blacklisting group The Consulting Association after a 2009 raid by the Information Commissioner, Unite believes a 'pattern of unethical behaviour in the construction industry' has continued. Ian Davidson MP, chair of the Commons committee, said 'the big question that remains is, is this egregious practice actually still going on? Are people still being systematically, unfairly discriminated against in this way?' He added: 'We have heard disturbing suggestions that it is still going on, and possibly in the context of a massive public infrastructure project, Crossrail. It is crucial to get to the truth of this, and we are very grateful to the assistant general secretary of Unite for coming to discuss their findings and position with us.'

• Scottish Affairs Committee statement. The Herald.