Action against a trade union blacklisting website

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today demanded action against a trade union blacklisting website which is actively targeting activists at all levels – even including volunteer union learning reps whose “crime” is helping colleagues acquire skills, training and education.

The blacklisting site - http://www.hrblacklist.com/static/view/about/ - makes no bones about its intentions. HR Blacklist is run by Human Resources Consulting and purports to “tell the truth about employees” – in reality it is an on-line successor to the Consulting Association and its anti-union blacklisting activities.

Numerous RMT activists and other union organisers are listed on the site, including General Secretary Bob Crow and Assistant General Secretary Steve Hedley. Although a search of the names on the data base is free, the detailed files are password protected and only open to subscribers. Names are listed on the site data base without any agreement in clear violation of data protection.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“This HR Blacklist website is openly touted on-line and is an extension of the union blacklisting activities of the Consulting Association. It lists people as union organisers with the obvious intent of thereby denying them future employment and that is a scandal. RMT is taking further advice to protect our members and activists.

“Action should be taken by the authorities to shut this blacklisting site down.

“The whole murky saga of union blacklisting, and the collusion with the police and the security services by the employers organisations, has clear parallels with the Leveson investigations and RMT will continue to campaign with the anti-blacklisting organisations for action against all those involved in this conspiracy.”

Acknowledgements to Glen Burrows