Leaders of the Highland Council have asked their colleagues to adopt a policy of opposing blacklisting.

They claim the practice of blacklisting is "unacceptable" and "cannot be condoned".

Council Leader Drew Hendry, Depute Leader David Alston and Convener Jimmy Gray have presented a notice of motion for a Council meeting on Thursday (5 September) which voices the authority's opposition to the compilation of construction industry blacklists.

The lists involve covertly gathered information on construction trade unionism and employment of history of employees.

The motion reads: "Trade Unions (notably UNITE, GMB and UCATT) are leading a national campaign aimed at forcing those companies who have been involved in blacklisting to apologise and compensate those who have been affected by it.

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"It is understood that the construction industry blacklist was collated by the Consulting Association (a private consultancy) and was then provided at a cost to construction companies as they sought to recruit/avoid new workers. The Information Commissioner has investigated and taken action against the Consulting Association for this practice. Furthermore, the Information Commissioner has taken enforcement action against a number of construction companies based on the evidence recovered from the Consulting Association.

"Owing to the concentration of construction activity in and around the Highlands, there is the potential that some of those alleged to have been discriminated against live in the Highland Council area and that this practice has disadvantaged residents working in the building industry. Given the potential impact on residents of the Highlands, the Council resolves to support the Trade Union campaign against blacklisting."

(JP/MH)