STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

A PUBLIC inquiry into blacklisting of building workers by major construction firms should be held, according to a Glasgow MP.

The city was home to many of the thousands of names that were revealed to be on a database used by employers to vet potential employees on their trade union activities and political views.

Chris Stephens, SNP MP for Glasgow South, has called for a full inquiry into the scandal that has led to millions of pounds being paid out in compensation.

He said after London, Liverpool and Manchester, Glasgow was the worst affected city.

Scotland is understood to be the worst affected ‘region’ of the UK with more than 30 workers sharing around £1.6m

Workers in many west of Scotland towns including Greenock, Hamilton, Renfrew and Irvine were also on the list.

The most recent compensation case, pursued by Unite, is believed to have resulted in a £4m pay out to almost 100 workers. Taking the total to more than £10m for more than 250 workers.

Eight of the country’s biggest construction firms were named and have issued an apology to the workers.

Unite, UCATT and GMB unions working with the Blacklist Support Group pursued the cases and secured compensation thought to be ranging from £25,000 to £200,000 for loss of earnings and damage to reputation.

Balfour Beattie, Carillion, Costain, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska and Vinci are expected to pay out in total more than £50m plus legal costs to almost 800 workers.

Mr Stephens has laid a motion in the House of Commons praising the determination of the unions and campaign groups who fought for compensation.

He said: “Trade union members were denied work over many years due to their trade union activity on previous building sites, raising concerns over asbestos, poor working conditions and unpaid wages.”

Mr Stephens welcomed the apology from the firms and said that “trade unionists, safety campaigners, journalists, academics and environmental activists were all blacklisted by big business.”

The motion notes with concern: “Media reports that senior police officers attended meetings of the blacklisting organisation and calls on the Government to conduct a full public inquiry into the scandal of blacklisting.”

The scandal was uncovered in 2009 when the offices of the Consulting Association, which managed the list, were raided and then the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster carried out an investigation.