Stirling Council has agreed to a motion opposing the blacklisting of workers within the construction industry.

The plea was brought before the Council by the GMB and UNITE unions as part of a national campaign.

Following a meeting of the Council on Thursday, Councillors agreed to adopt a policy opposing the practice. Blacklisting involved a company secretly gathering information about the trade union activity and employment history of potential employees. The unions' campaign aims to force those companies involved in blacklisting to apologise and compensate those who have been affected as a result.

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Council Leader Johanna Boyd, who proposed the motion, said: "A number of construction companies have been challenged about supporting and subscribing to blacklists within the industry. Such systematic discrimination on the basis of trade union membership is appalling and cannot be tolerated. The right to join a trade union is fundamental and must be protected.

"Stirling Council stands alongside the GMB and UNITE unions in highlighting and tackling this practice, which has undoubtedly disadvantaged residents of the Stirling area working in the building industry."

In a statement by the Council, it said the motion states that it is understood the construction industry blacklist was drawn up by a private consultancy and then sold to construction companies looking to select new workers.

It adds that the Information Commissioner has investigated the situation and taken action against the consultancy in question and against a number of construction companies involved in blacklisting.

(JP/CD)