Action to end trade unionist blacklisting welcomed by Mike

New Welsh Government guidance designed to exclude “blacklisting” companies and businesses from bidding for public sector contacts has today been given the thumbs up from Swansea East AM Mike Hedges.

Blacklisting is a practice where individual workers have been denied employment opportunities because of their trade union membership or involvement in trade union activity.

The new public procurement advisory guidance, which was issued earlier today by Finance Minister Jane Hutt, has now been sent out to all Welsh public bodies to outline the necessary steps that can be taken through the procurement process to exclude “blacklisters” from bidding for a public contract.

Speaking on the new guidance, local AM Mike Hedges said:

“The fact remains that blacklisting can be damaging to the careers and livelihoods of workers involved in trade union activity. It’s unfair and unjust that someone should be discriminated against solely due to their legal right to join a trade union for protection in the workplace.  

“I’m therefore pleased that the Welsh Government is taking action to eliminate companies involved in this shady practice from bidding for Welsh public sector contracts.

“Let’s also hope that this new public procurement guidance will encourage the other UK nations to follow suit so that we can work towards eradicating blacklisting once and for all.”

Finance Minister Jane Hutt said:

“The use of blacklists is wholly unacceptable and I fully sympathise with the individuals and their families who have suffered a terrible injustice as a consequence of contractors engaging in this practice.

“Procurement is an important part of the overall policy toolkit of the Welsh Government. Under no circumstances is it acceptable for any business in receipt of public procurement expenditure to use blacklists.

“I am determined to take action in Wales. I trust that other Governments in the UK will take similar action if they have not already done so.”