Blacklist: High Court case looms!

Cullum McAlpine Ducks-out on High Court

1. Blacklisted workers taunted by central figure in the blacklisting conspiracy 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/opinion/blacklisting-victims-havent-suffered-enough-7752746

2. Blacklisted workers speak at the High Court about how standing up for fellow workers affected their families

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV7lL2Gm9zw

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2016/04/13/blacklist-contractors-pay-out-another-15-20m/

Please share and circulate this video far & wide - and donate to Reel News 

3. Cullum McAlpine 'mastermind' behind blacklisting conspiracy refuses to give evidence in High Court trial 

http://unitelive.org/the-fight-goes-on/

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/blacklisting-mastermind-refuses-to-give-evidence-at-high-court-hearing/

http://www.buildingconstructiondesign.co.uk/news/blacklisting-mastermind-refuses-to-give-evidence-at-high-court-hearing/

4. George Tapp - working class hero - has been awarded £80,000 compensation for the life changing injuries he suffered after he was run down by a motorist whilst handing out leaflets at a blacklist protest against the construction giant BAM during the Crossrail dispute. Well done to the union & lawyers for fighting the case.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-8957-Court-Awards-Blacklist-Hero-Tapp-80,000

5. Overview of the High Court trial

https://undercoverinfo.wordpress.com/2016/04/13/blacklisting-the-blacklisters-the-evidence-subscribers-key-players-finances-etc/

6. Undercover police spied on the Grunwick strikers & caused the abandonment of the Grand National 

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2016/apr/13/covert-police-spied-on-strikers-and-their-supporters-in-iconic-dispute

https://network23.org/redblackgreen/2016/04/10/1993-the-year-the-grand-national-was-sabotaged-with-help-from-special-branch/

Major conference on undercover police spying on activists this coming weekend - with an all star line up of speakers and a workshop on blacklisting 

http://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=107

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2016/mar/30/doreen-lawrence-to-speak-at-conference-on-undercover-policing-and-racism

7. Blacklist firm Balfour Beatty also exploiting construction workers in Qatar 

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/13/balfour-beatty-interserve-accused-migrant-worker-labour-abuses-qatar

8. Mildred Gordon R.I.P.

Mildred Gordon MP for Bow & Poplar and an active supporter of the Construction Safety Campaign has passed away. http://eastlondonnews.co.uk/former-bow-poplar-mp-mildred-gordon-dies/

"Is it not true that, in this country, no employer who has been found guilty of negligence that has caused a fatal accident on a building site has ever been imprisoned for criminal negligence? Should not such employers be sentenced? If it is their fault that a worker dies, is it not true that only imprisonment will make them take the matter seriously? When great profits are at stake, fines of £400, or even £2,000, will not improve the position"

9. Construction & Offshore safety concerns 

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/building-firm-bosses-jailed-after-11159729#ICID=Android_MENNewsApp_AppShare

https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandgas/north-sea/106583/scottish-government-candidates-grilled-offshore-workers-safety/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EV+Daily+Newsletter+2016-04-13&utm_term=Energy+Voice+-+Newsletter

Blacklist Support Group

book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/

Morning Star report of George Tapp case

Morning Star report by Peter Lazenby on Thursday 19th, June 2014:

GRAPHIC video evidence of anti-blacklisting campaigners being carried on the bonnet of an accelerating car was shown to a jury in Manchester crown court yesterday.

It was filmed during a protest against blacklisting outside Manchester City football club’s training ground on the evening of May 15 last year.

 

Michael Collins, 20, was driving the car involved in the incident which left 64-year-old Unite activist and anti-blacklisting campaigner George Tapp with severe leg injuries and a fractured skull.

He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.

Mr Tapp, who suffered leg injuries which the jury heard had needed metal pins inserting and specialist treatment, gave evidence.

 

Still not fully recovered from his injuries, he walked to the witness stand with the aid of a stick and was allowed to sit while giving evidence.

 

The video showed a Ford Ka driven by the defendant drive up to demonstrators handing out anti-blacklisting leaflets, then edge forward, and suddenly accelerate, carrying three protesters trapped on his bonnet.

 

One fell off almost immediately. Mr Tapp and a second were carried between 100 and 150 metres before the car broke when Mr Tapp was hurled onto the concrete road.

The car reversed, pulled around him, and drove off.

 

Mr Tapp told the court that he had his back to the vehicle but heard a car revving up and felt it strike the back of his calf.

 

He remembered he 'went forward onto the bonnet” as it began to move then “and grabbed hold of the windscreen central pivot.'

 

'I could feel the air being sucked into the engine,' he told the court.

 

'My chest was on the bonnet. I looked up and the driver and passenger were laughing at that stage.'

 

Unite organiser Laura Gleeson said demonstrators were handing leaflets to car drivers when she heard a car revving and turned around.

 

She remembered:  'The car was pushing against the guy standing in front of it and there were people shouting ‘stop, stop, stop. What are you doing'.'

 

Unite organiser Nick Cairns added:  'My impression was that George Tapp had no opportunity to get out of the way.'

 

The case is proceeding.

Defendant in George Tapp case Not Guilty!

1. George Tapp - NOT GUILTY VERDICT:

Michael Collins the driver who drove through a blacklisting protest outside the Manchester City Training ground fracturing both knee caps of ex-Salford Labour councillor George Tapp has been found not guilty in Manchester Crown Court

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-4ad6-Jury-shown-George-Tapp-injury-footage#.U6KWNyxOW70

2. High Court halts firms insulting compensation scheme:

The firms insulting compensation scheme that would see the vast majority of blacklisted workers receiving little more than a weeks wages in compensation, so long as we agreed to withdraw all our court claims has been temporarily kicked into touch by the High Court. The firms announced the scheme last year but 9 months later have still not made any real movement on their insulting offer. The entire scheme is a cheap publicity stunt intended to divert attention away from the High Court case.

 

The firms had intended to launch the scheme unilaterally without the support of any of the unions, the Blacklist Support Group or any of the lawyers involved in the High Court case. They were even granted a secret court order which meant that the ICO could supply them with the current addresses of the people they blacklisted. The High Court has thrown this nonsense out and said that it should all be dealt with on the same date in the High Court hearings and not as some stand alone PR trick.

 

Even if some people on the blacklist are only interested in financial compensation, the current scheme as it stands is nowhere near adequate. people will end up receiving considerably more than the pittance currently being suggested by the firms. 

 

http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/high-court-reject-blacklisters-bid

http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/gmb-union-launches-legal-challenge-to-blacklist-compensation-scheme 

 

BSG positions is:

Everyone on the Consulting Association blacklist should be entitled to compensation regardless of how much is written on the files or the dates.

Widows or children should be compensated if the blacklisted worker has passed away.

Compensation should be set at a level that genuinely compensates for the human rights violations carried out by the firms.

Any scheme should provide jobs or retraining for blacklisted workers - a few quid means nothing if people still cant find gainful employment because of blacklisting.

 

3. Blacklisting High Court claim - 10th July

The postponed High Court case is back on track in 3 weeks time.

Blacklist Support Group protest

9:30am Thursday 10th July 2014

Royal Courts of Justice

The Strand

London

(nearest tube: Holborn or Temple)

When the court case is finished for the day, there will be an update on the progress of the campaign for all those present.

Guney Clark & Ryan solicitors, UNITE, GMB and UCATT are all part of the joint court case with their own legal representation.

 

4. Human Rights:

Last week, lawyers on behalf of the UK government intervened in the Smith v Carillion court case. In the original Employment Tribunal, the company admitted that their managers were responsible for adding information to his blacklist file due to his union activities. Smith lost because he was an agency worker and therefore not protected by UK law.

John Hendy QC, David Renton and Declan Owens from the Free Representation Unit are now appealing to the Court of Appeal arguing that blacklisting is a breach of human rights and should protect everyone not just direct employees. They are asking for a "Declaration of non-compatibility" which is a legal way of saying that UK law doesn't comply with human rights. Lawyers for the UK government admit that Smith's human rights have been breached but will be arguing against him in court.

 

This week, a complaint was submitted to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasburg in the case of Smith v Schal International (a wholly owned subsidiary of Carillion) relating to blacklisting the UCATT safety rep on a building site in Brentwood in 1999. This is the 2nd blacklisting case that has been sent to the ECHR, the first was for Terry Brough, a UCATT bricklayer from the North West.

 

5. Blacklisting speakers this week:

RMT Conference in Bristol

Mon 23rd - Shrewsbury Pickets

Tues 24th - Blacklist Support Group. 

Speakers Forum Stage, Green Futures at Glastonbury Festival

Thur 26th 6pm-8pm - Blacklisting Special with Reel News with Shaun Dey & Dave Smith

Sat 3:15pm - "A flavour of the Green Futures Field" with Merrick Badger.  

Blacklist Support Group

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/

Dangerous Driving & George Tapp case

THE police case against the man who drove into the picket of Manchester electricians outside the Manchester City ground in May last year, is set to take place on the 18th, June 2014.  It will be held at Manchester Crown Court.  A man has been charged with dangerous driving.

Blacklist Update

1.  High Court Claim

The first hearing in the first ever High Court claim for blacklisting as an "unlawful conspiracy" takes place on Friday. The claim is being brought by Guney, Clark & Ryan solicitors (GCR) who have been preparing this case since 2009 on behalf of nearly 100 blacklisted workers and is the legal challenge fully supported by the Blacklist Support Group.

Come along and support the campaign - wear your "BLACKLISTED" T-shirts for the press photos. 

High Court Blacklisting Protest (press photo-opportunity)

9am Friday 29th November 2013

High Court

The Strand

London

WC2A 2LL 

If you are a blacklisted worker and wish to get more info about the GCR High Court claim contact: Liam Dunne ldunne@guneyclarkryan.com

http://www.guneyclarkryan.com/construction-industry-blacklist-news/ 

2. Day of Action on Blacklisting - more pix & vids

I think everyone is over the moon about what happened last week. Often, these kind of events are a bit of a damp squib but November 20th saw genuine rank and file civil disobedience protests across the country, lobbies of parliaments in Westminster, Edinburgh and Cardiff.  (An anti-blacklist protest also took place in central Manchester outside Manchester Town Hall called by the Greater Manchester Contracting Branch of Unite, and supported by many local blacklisted electricians, George Tapp, Tameside TUC and other members of Unite and Ucatt).  There were also major announcements about blacklisting from Ed Milliband, Scottish government, the ICO, UCATT and UNITE.

You can support the blacklisting campaign by distributing these videos to your mailing lists and sharing on social media. This really makes a difference.

Videos: 

http://reelnews.co.uk/national-blacklisting-day-of-action-sends-shockwaves-through-the-building-industry/ - great stuff from Reel News: London civil disobedience & House of Commons together. Reel News are massive supporters of BSG and we urge every union branch to take out an annual subscription to keep them going.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeuPmmqja-A&list=UUdtWZi4_T0dr6Tc-KhgV-qQ - Scottish lobby of parliament

Pix: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60718029@N06/sets/72157637906569185/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hethb/sets/72157637939051514/

http://guy-smallman-photos.photoshelter.com/gallery/Blacklist-City-protest-20-11-13/G00002TpOOoLSyYk

https://www.facebook.com/paul.mattsson.9/media_set?set=a.10151719184295683.1073741845.725280682&type=1 

3. Public Inquiry

Ed Milliband and Chuka Umunna both pledged an incoming Labour government to hold an inquiry into the blacklisting scandal (see Reel News video above).

Blacklist Support Group, Francess O'Grady and all 3 main unions involved say this is not enough - we demand a fully independent public inquiry to expose the full conspiracy (not some half-hearted thing done by BIS).

http://www.hazards.org/blacklistblog/ 

4. ICO letter to workers on the blacklist

Five years after seizing the blacklist, the ICO are now finally sending letters to 1200 individuals where they hold addresses and national insurance numbers, something activists and unions have argued for all along. The ICO letter has however been condemned by victims and unions alike as it directs these workers, who in many cases have no idea that there name appears on the Consulting Association database, to the blacklist compensation scheme set up by the very companies who blacklisted them in the first place. The BSG complaint describes this as  'like sending the victims of crime to the criminals to receive justice.' 

The Information Commissioners Office has now suspended sending letters to individuals whose names appear on the Consulting Association database following a complaint by the Blacklist Support Group (BSG). The BSG complaint condemns the actions of the ICO and describes how "From being the champions of blacklisted workers, the ICO is now a barrier in our path to achieve justice". The ICO has now agreed to place details of the Blacklist Support Group on the ICO website and in any future correspondence with those whose names appear on the blacklist. 

Liam Dunne (GCR) said

'We are dismayed that the Information Commissioners Office have sent “fact sheets” directing victims to the Construction Workers Compensation Scheme (TWCS), which is run by the very people who blacklisted them in the first place and at this point has not been approved of by any of the stakeholders involved.' 

5. Blacklisting campaigners win awards: Congratulations to:

Will Hurst from Building magazine - winner of 2 awards in the IBP Press awards for his investigative journalism on the issue of Blacklisting - Will broke a number of the stories that later made the mainstream media especially relating to Crossrail. 

Welsh Assembly - for their strong stand on blacklisting - banning blacklisting firms from public contracts. 

Blacklist Support Group - (YES, THAT'S US) - we won the Robert Tressell Award for services to working people at the Construction Safety Campaign AGM. "The families and partners of blacklisted workers and activists" were also awarded a special Robert Tressell Award for their support. They truly are the wind beneath our wings.
_________________________________________

The current printed issue of NORTHERN VOICES No.14, is now available for sale at all our usual outlets in the North of England and beyond - see below. This issue N.V.14 has a Tameside Eye story about how Tameside has a history of involvement in blacklisting, it also contains an interview by Barry Woodling with George Tapp - the Salford electrician injured in May on an anti-blacklist picket. The Voices has been in the forthfront of the campaign against the blacklist since 2003 and the DAF dispute at Manchester Piccadilly, its editor, an electrician, was on the blacklist of the Economic League in the 1960s, and there was an attempt to blacklist him while he was working in Gibraltar in both 1964 and 1967, but at the time this intervention by the Foreign Office was resisted by the Gibraltarian authorities, and the Gibraltar Transport & General Workers Union.
Postal subscription: £5 for the next two issues (post included). Cheques made payable to 'Northern Voices' should be sent c/o 52, Todmorden Road, Burnley, Lancashire BB10 4AH.
Tel.: 0161 793 5122.
email: northernvoices@hotmail.com

What Went on with Man in George Tapp Case?

NORTHERN Voices this morning rang the Greater Manchester Police Press Office to ascertain what had happen to the man, named in the Manchester Evening News as Micheal Collins, who was scheduled to appear in Manchester Magistrates Court on Monday the 21st, October.  The police Press Office told us today that they weren't privy to information regarding court appearances, but the Manchestester Magistrates Court ought to know the outcome and gave us the telephone number.  The Voices has attempted several calls to the Magistrates Court this morning, but has yet has not been able to get a response.  We would welcome any information regarding the outcome of this hearing which may have been a committal proceeding.  Previous to this hearing George Tapp has told us that he was not required to attend the Court for this hearing.

We are giving this report because we note that there has been a large number of page-viewing on our previous George Tapp postings in the last day or so.

Man in Court over George Tapp injuries

IT has been reported that a man has been summoned to appear in the Manchester Magistrates Court on the 21st, October to face charges related to the injuries sustained by the electrician George Tapp last May, while on a protest against the blacklist in the British building trade outside the Manchester City ground.  It is expected that the man, 19-year-old Michael Collins, will plead and that the matter may then be refered to the Crown Court because on the gravity of the offence in which Mr. Tapp ended up with two broken legs, and has yet to fully recover. 
__________________________________________________

The current printed issue of NORTHERN VOICES No.14, is now available for sale at all our usual outlets in the North of England and beyond - see below. This issue N.V.14 has a Tameside Eye story about how Tameside has a history of involvement in blacklisting, it also contains an interview by Barry Woodling with George Tapp - the Salford electrician injured in May on an anti-blacklist picket. The Voices has been in the forthfront of the campaign against the blacklist since 2003 and the DAF dispute at Manchester Piccadilly, its editor, an electrician, was on the blacklist of the Economic League in the 1960s, and there was an attempt to blacklist him while he was working in Gibraltar in both 1964 and 1967, but at the time this intervention by the Foreign Office was resisted by the Gibraltarian authorities, and the Gibraltar Transport & General Workers Union.
Postal subscription: £5 for the next two issues (post included). Cheques made payable to 'Northern Voices' should be sent c/o 52, Todmorden Road, Burnley, Lancashire BB10 4AH.
Tel.: 0161 793 5122.
email: northernvoices@hotmail.com

Blacklist Bosses Back Down!

Frank Morris Gets His Job Back

BLACKLISTED UNITE union shop steward Frank Morris is returning to work on the Crossrail project on 9th September. This is a massive victory, not just for UNITE but the whole of the trade union movement.

Frank Morris came to symbolise the struggle the unions are waging against the illegal blacklist of their members by major construction firms after he was dismissed last September. His reinstatement sends a message out: unions are back and we are ready to fight our corner if we have to.

 

The dismissal of Frank Morris took place soon after he took on the role of union steward and raised safety concerns about tunnelling operations on the largest publicly funded construction project in Western Europe. The Crossrail dispute was a central part of the a BBC One Panorama TV documentary: Blacklist Britain.

 

Blacklist campaigners and UNITE argued from the start that Frank's dismissal was due to the blacklist and have been fighting a bitter battle against the Bam-Ferrovial-Kier (BFK) consortium. The senior HR managers on the project including Ron Baron (head of HR for Crossrail) and Pat Swift (head of HR for BFK) are proven blacklisters, both having been exposed in parliament. 

 

The 12 month dispute has rallied thousands of union members to new tactics unseen in industrial disputes including mass civil disobedience with Oxford Street, Earls Court and Park Lane being blockaded during rush hour on over 20 occasions. The Office of the Rail Regulator was occupied by protesters the day after a gantry collapsed on the very section of the site where Frank Morris had raised safety concerns. Google HQ and major corporate investors offices in the City were occupied. Videos made by Reel News went viral around the world and turned the dispute into a cause célèbre.

 

The Crossrail dispute has resulted in questions being asked in parliament, Holyrood and the London Assembly. UNITE Assistant General Secretary Gail Cartmail raised the Crossrail case as an example of ongoing blacklisting when giving evidence to the Scottish Affairs Select Committee which then referred the case to government for a full,investigation. Local Authorities have passed motions at full council meetings refusing to grant public contracts to blacklisting firms. 

 

The dispute entered a new phase when Unite General Secretary Len McLuskey addressed the AGM of the Blacklist Support Group and promised to use the full resources of the union to "Blacklist the Blacklisters" until Frank Morris got his job back. This leverage strategy included union protests in Holland, France, Spain, Canada and last month Chicago in an attempt to pressurise major clients to refuse contracts to firms that blacklisted union members. In the UK, dinner jacket attendees of awards ceremonies were greeted by giant inflatable rats and 40 foot banners. At one protest outside Manchester City Football ground a blacklist campaigner called George Tapp was run down by a car and suffered two fractured knees. Meetings have been taking place at ACAS with executives of Bam and Ferrovial flying in from Holland and Spain to participate.

 

There is a gagging order on the agreement to get Frank Morris his job back and UNITE the Union and Frank are both unable to discuss the detail of the agreement but the following Joint Statement has been issued by UNITE and BFK. 

BFK and Unite Joint Statement

'Today, Unite the Union and the BAM Ferrovial Kier Joint Venture (BFK) are pleased to announce that they have successfully concluded matters between them in relation to BFK’s Joint Venture on the Crossrail projects.

BFK acknowledge that the conclusion of the EIS contract could have been handled better and BFK and Unite have agreed to work together to continue the provision of transparent working practices including safeguarding the right of workers to choose whether or not to join a trade union.

BFK and Unite agree that there has been no contravention of the Blacklisting Regulations on the BFK Crossrail projects.

BFK and Unite are committed to improving ways of working together.

The above allows BFK and Unite to further build upon their working relationship for the good of all involved and both parties look forward to working with each other in the future.'

Dave Smith - Secretary, Blacklist Support Group said: 

'The Crossrail dispute was totemic.  It was not just about Frank Morris. It was about the future direction of trade unionism in the building industry.  Such blatant blacklisting was a declaration of war by the big contractors against all unions.

If they thought we didn't have the stomach or the troops for a fight - they were wrong. For 12 months Frank Morris has stood outside Crossrail.  He has suffered a year of unemployment, financial hardships and physical attacks.  But Frank never gave up.  The rank & file never gave up.  UNITE never gave up.

 

'We are no longer prepared to sit back when our best activists are victimised and blacklisted.  We have been calling for an industrial solution to end the blacklist and UNITE have delivered the goods.

 

'The joint statement comment that there has been no contravention of the Blacklisting Regs on the Crossrail project is simply an indication of how ineffectual the Blacklisting Regs are. Frank Morris lost his job because of blacklisting on Crossrail - everyone knows it. The legal system could not get him his job back, so we had to rely on our own strength to achieve justice.

 

'A massive 'thank you' to the thousands of people, from many unions and organisations who have supported the campaign. This was solidarity at its very best. We couldn't have won this alone.

 

'The reinstatement of Frank Morris is a kick in the teeth for the blacklisting firms and a turning point in industrial relations in the construction industry.

 

'This is a historic union victory. And Frank Morris is a working class hero.

Raise a glass to celebrate - the rest of the trade union movement, please take note.'

 

Blacklist Support Group

video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRB9DjmhBHg

blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/
_________________________________________________

The current printed issue of NORTHERN VOICES No.14, is now available for sale - see below. This issue N.V.14 also with an article about Tameside entitled 'Who is in bed with the blacklisters' and an interview with blacklisted electrician George Tapp can still be obtained by writing or contacting the people whose details are below:
Postal subscription: £5 for the next two issues (post included). Cheques made payable to 'Northern Voices' should be sent c/o 52, Todmorden Road, Burnley, Lancashire BB10 4AH.
Tel.: 0161 793 5122.
email: northernvoices@hotmail.com

Croydon T.U.C. Back George Tapp

ON Saturday 24 August 2013 Croydon Trades Union Council (TUC) is holding a special event to show solidarity for George Tapp following the attack on him, and the Blacklist Support Group.

We hope the event will be an opportunity for Trades Unionists and the Labour movement in Croydon to show general support for the Blacklisting Campaign.

The event at Ruskin House Croydon's Trade Union and Labour Centre,23 Coombe Road, Croydon CR0 1BD.. There will be live music and the Ruskin House Club Bar will be open from 7:00 p.m.

This is to ask you to circulate among your email lists, and if possible (given the short notice) to have a speaker from the campaign to give an update on the current position.

Yours fraternally

Jon Morgan

President of Croydon TUC

07759 015696

TUC Conference Blacklist Motion & Mr. Tapp

GEORGE Tapp, injured two weeks ago on a picket when a car ran into him, spoke yesterday to Northern Voices in the trauma ward at the Salford Royal Hospital about the incident which took place on the 15th, May, outside the Manchester City ground.  The electrician Mr. Tapp, though shaken-up by the event, talked calmly for an hour to two local journalists from Northern Voices without bitterness or animosity about the events leading up to the car driving into him on a picket that had been called to challenge the companies involved in blacklisting:  BAM the company presently doing work on Manchester City's Etihad Stadium is alleged to have been affiliated to the now defunct Consulting Association, that was managed up until March 2009 in the Midlands by the notorious blacklist coordinator; the now late Ian Kerr.  After that, it was closed down following a raid by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), and Mr. Kerr was found guilty of operating an illegal data base (blacklist) containing the names of over 3,000 building workers; it was also later claimed by the ICO that Mr. Kerr had other files relating to other industries and professions. 

Last night, George Tapp complained from his hospital bed of sloppy reporting in some local newspapers, and expressed his concern at some of the reports in the press which seemed to imply that the workers and protesters had brought the suffering upon themselves.

Meanwhile Mr. Tapp told us that he much appreciated the support he had received from well-wishers, fellow trade unionists, and members of Salford Council.  He particularly mentioned Len McClusky, Jerry Hicks, Ian Stewart, the Mayor of Salford, and Alec McFadden, the North West representative of the TUC-JCC, who has an office at the Salford Unemployed Resource Centre.

Tomorrow, the Greater Manchester County Association of Trade Union Councils (TUCs) will be joining others in moving a composite motion at the National Conference of TUCs in London condemning blacklisting.  The composite motion states: 
'We express disgust that 44 construction companies, exposed as blacklisters by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) escaped without penalty.  Conference notes that the police and security services may have been complicit in the Consulting Association's activities and that blacklist records have also been kept on academics and journalists.'

The motion further states that:
'(i)  The regulations need to be strengthened and that it should be a criminal offence to supply, compile, solicit or use information in connection with a prohibited list;
(ii)  No public contracts should be awarded to any company that has used blacklisting unless they apologise for their action, pay appropriate compensation and where possible, provide employment.
(iii)  Any companies which use blacklisting or do not abide by national collective agreements and/or victimise union reps are not welcome in England and Wales.'

The motion asks Conference, among other things, to call upon the TUC to:
'Consider how to have full input into influencing the way that public procurement works in England and Wales to protect workers' rights... ' and to 'Support demands for a full investigation/ public inquiry into blacklisting, both past and present, and into the intimate involvement of both the police and security services in these iniquitous practices.' and to 'Draw up a list of local authorities that are awarding contracts to blacklisters like Carillion, and try to get them to award publicly funded contracts to companies that are not among the 44 firms that were affiliated to the Consulting Association.'  and to 'Demand that the ICO notifies all persons listed on the Consulting Association's blacklist files in the same way that victims were notified in the phone hacking scandal.'

Motion submitted to Scottish Parliament

MOTION S4M-06732: Neil Findlay, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 23/05/2013

Wishing Anti-blacklisting Campaigner George Tapp a Speedy Recovery.

'That the Parliament is both shocked and appalled by the news that the anti-blacklisting campaigner, George Tapp, was allegedly run-over deliberately during a demonstration against blacklisting outside a Manchester building site; notes George’s lifelong work in labour and trade union movement and wishes him a speedy recovery; hopes that he can fulfil his commitment to see justice delivered for blacklisted construction workers, and looks forward to the perpetrator of the alleged hit-and-run incident being brought to justice.'

Supported by: Drew Smith, John Finnie, Jackie Baillie, Mary Fee, Patricia Ferguson, Richard Lyle, Elaine Smith, Hugh Henry, Margaret McDougall, Jean Urquhart

Get well soon cards to:
George Tapp
Ward B4
Salford Royal Hospital,
Stott Lane,
Salford
M6 8HD

George Tapp: 'Man questioned under caution'

A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Police told Northern Voices last night, that a man had been questioned under caution about the incident outside a building site near the Manchester City Etihad Stadium on Wednesday the 15th, May, involving a vehicle in which the veteran trade unionist, George Tapp,  received injuries from which he is still recovering.  The police said that their investigation into the case, which followed a demonstration by dozens of workers from the Unite union against blacklisting in the British building trade, was still 'on going'. 

The demo, part of a nationwide action called by the Blacklist Support Group and others in the campaign against the British blacklist, took place outside a building site operated by construction firm BAM which is alleged to have been affiliated to the Consulting Association (a body closed by the Information Commissioner's Office) in the now notorious blacklisting scandal that afflicts the UK construction industry.  According to the Manchester Evening News, last Friday, it was claimed by police that 'CCTV shows campaigners climbed on the bonnet of a car'.  But some of the campaigners present have disputed the police version of events.

A report in the Morning Star claims:
'The driver of a car which rammed anti-blacklist demonstrators in Manchester was laughing as he accelerated through them.  George Tapp, a 64-year-old electrician whose legs were broken as the car struck him, told from his hospital bed of how he clung to the car's windscreen wipers as he was carried for over 100 yards on the vehicle's bonnet - and that the driver, still laughing, switched the wipers on to dislodge him.'

George Tapp was then thrown off the bonnet, injuring his head on the kerb.  Mr. Tapp is a former Labour councillor from Salford who now has both his legs are plastered to the hip, and he is awaiting reconstructive surgery on his knees.  It is believed that no charges have yet been brought against the driver, but police are still taking witness statements. 

George Tapp's Campaign Against the Blacklist

LAST night, Northern Voices was told by a spokeswoman at the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) that George Tapp, who was injured last Wednesday during a demo against a company 'BAM' believed to be involved in the blacklisting of construction workers in this country,  is about to be moved from the Emergency Trauma Unit at the MRI to the Salford Royal Hospital (the old Hope Hospital).  We were told that Mr. Tapp is now stable, but an officer in the Greater Manchester County Association of Trade Union Councils (TUCs) said that 'George (aged 64) will never work again'.

George Tapp, is a member of the Greater Manchester Construction Branch of Unite (EPIU NW 1400/7 branch), and was present at the last branch meeting when I attended on the 13th, May.  George was instrumental in getting a motion condemning local authorities and other public bodies, such as Tameside MBC, that are still awarding contracts to companies that were affiliated to the now defunct Consulting Association.  This motion was formerly moved at the conference of the North West TUC held in March, and George told me after the conference that he was disgusted that the motion which had been produced by the Manchester electrician's branch of Unite for the Greater Manchester Assoc. of TUCs, had not been discussed by the delegates at the conference.  His view he told the branch was that this emergency motion ought to have been fully discussed after the actor, Ricky Tomlinson, had spoken to the conference on the issue of the Shrewsbury pickets:  Ricky Tomlinson had addressed the North West TUC conference to call for justice for the Shrewsbury 24, who had been arrested in 1972 during a building workers strike and put through a conspiracy trial at Shrewsbury.

Sources close to the North West TUC suggested at the time that there was some opposition within the trade union movement to moves to expose the blacklist, and to the attempt to get local councils to avoid awarding contracts to building companies that had affiliated to the blacklisting body the Consulting Association.  This would embarrass some Labour Councils such as Tameside MBC, led by Kieran Quinn and the Labour Party, that have blatantly given contracts to Carillion a company known to have had membership.  There
has also been allegations that some union officials have been implicated in the blacklisting of union members.

Unite Activist George Tapp

YOU may have heard of the incident involving UNITE activists at a demonstration in Manchester which lead to George being seriously injured. Details of the incident can be found here:
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/132953
The Morning Star will include a full account of the incident, including an interview with George this Thursday, and I would encourage you to make sure that all reps and activists are made aware of this . George is in hospital in Manchester, and is unlikely to be able to work again due to the severity of his injuries.

George’s union UNITE are ensuring that George is given every support , and Mick Whitley , Regional secretary of UNITE is dealing directly with George’s case, as are UNITE solicitors.

Salford Trades Council have established an appeal fund for George, and donations and messages of support should be sent to Salford TUC George Tapp Appeal, 84 Liverpool Road , Eccles, Salford M30 0WZ.

Please make branches , activists and reps aware of this.

Report from Kara Stevens of UNITE the Union.

George Tapp update and other blacklisting news

GEORGE Tapp is currently still in Manchester Royal Infirmary in the Medical Emergency Trauma Unit, having undergone reconstructive surgery on two broken legs and multiple fractures after being hit by a car that drove through the blacklist protest dragging him 100 yards along the road in Manchester on Wednesday evening. Steve, Kevin and Jason among others have been with George and say he is is good spirits and sends a message that we should carry on our fight til we win.

The Blacklist Support Group wish George a speedy recovery.

some press:
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/132953
http://industrialreporter.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/exclusive-blacklisted-worker-needs-re-constructive-surgery-after-being-victim-of-hit-and-run-in-manchester/
http://union-news.co.uk/2013/05/anti-blacklist-campaigner-hit-by-speeding-car-at-demo/

2. Blacklist - Chris Tymkow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPKdPv47l2I
a folk song about the blacklist scandal with a youtube video about the campaign - are you in the video?
Please share and post, blog etc.

3. There were a number of blacklist protests this week including Vince Cable at BIS, Manchester, Portsmouth, Hendon, Norwich, Waltham Forest, Hendersons Global Investments in the City, Big Lottery in Birmigham, Standard Life in Edinburgh, Guardian Awards, Homes for Scotland Awards and Heineken Cup Final in Dublin. Some were more successful than others; some were very polite affairs, others involved large scale civil disobedience but collectively they are having an impact.

some press:
http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/16691/15-05-2013/protesters-demand-councils-reject-blacklisting-companies
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/10424581._/
http://union-news.co.uk/2013/05/union-protests-point-finger-at-blacklist-bosses/
http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/union_protests_outside_may_gurney_s_norwich_base_over_blacklisting_scandal_1_2193238
Next week

*Tuesday 21st May 9am - London*
Frank Morris v Crossrail Employment Tribunal

Kingsway Employment Tribunal,
Holborn,
London

*Saturday 25th May 11am - Glasgow *

March and Rally against Blacklisting,
Holland Street,
Glasgow

Latest on last night's attack on George Tapp

GEORGE Tapp, (pictured) a member of Unite the Union, and veteran anti-blacklist campaigner, has been hospitalized after being deliberately knocked down by a car as he took part in a protest against blacklisting at Manchester City football ground last night. The 64-year-old sustained two broken legs and a fractured knee cap, and is now recovering at MRI hospital in Manchester. 

Witnesses say the car drove deliberately and at speed into a crowd of protesters who were leafletting at the BAM construction site. BAM paid £38,371.85 to the Consulting Agency, a firm that ran anti-union blacklists, between 1996 and 2009. Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey said: 'blacklisting ruins lives and we believe it is continuing today on Crossrail because of contractors like BAM.'
Dave Smith, Secretary of the Blacklist Support Group, said: 
'George is a blacklist hero who has been campaigning with Steve Acheson for many years. He recently attended the Blacklist Support Group AGM and led a delegation of blacklisted workers who encouraged the Mayor of Salford to ban blacklisting firms from publicly funded contracts. We wish him a speedy recovery.'

Messages of support should be sent to George via 07949 335 390.