Last week the Welsh Government announced that it is taking action to deal with the blacklisting of trades unionists by some private companies.
Public sector bodies in Wales can exclude blacklisters from bidding for public sector contracts under new Welsh Government guidance that aims to eradicate the practice. Blacklisting is a practice where individuals have been denied employment opportunities because of their trade union membership or their involvement in trade union activity. It is known to have been used by construction companies operating in Wales, and to have involved Welsh construction workers.
This is an issue on which a number of trades unions including Unite and the GMB have been campaigning for some time and it has been discussed in the Rhondda Labour Party’s monthly meetings as well.
A Procurement Advice Note has been issued to all Welsh public bodies to outline the necessary steps that can be taken through procurement to help eradicate blacklisting – which can be very damaging to the careers and livelihoods of trade unionists.
The guidance makes clear those circumstances where Welsh public sector bodies can exclude blacklisters from bidding for a public contract.
The use of blacklists is wholly unacceptable and we 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.
We are determined to take action in Wales. We hope other Governments in the UK will take similar action if they have not already done so.
Another issue where Labour has been active on employment law has been in relation to zero-hours contracts. Ed Miliband made Labour’s position clear at the TUC conference last week and I have been working with my Pontypridd colleague Mick Antoniw AM on this issue after it was raised with us by the GMB.
Finally on trades union issues I am pleased that the teaching unions have recognized the different approach of the Welsh Government and have decided not to stage strikes in Wales this autumn. We opposed regional pay for teachers when I was Education Minister and we were critical of the UK government’s plans in relation to teacher’s pensions.
(My column in this week's Rhondda Leader)
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