Blacklisted worker speaks out

Steve Acheson was among hundreds of people unable to find work after being put a list used by more than 40 of the UK’s largest construction companies.

The list names more than 240 women, with 18 from Yorkshire, included, it is believed, for environmental campaigning.

Hull Council recently became one of the first in the country to agree not to use companies involved in the blacklisting.

Mr Acheson will be speaking at Hull and District TUC’s annual general meeting at the Unison building on Alfred Gelder Street in Hull.

Hull TUC said: “Hundreds of people have faced victimisation and financial hardship because they have raised basic issues of safety or have been involved with trade unions. This blacklist was drawn up with the support of many of the major building companies.

“It is a scandal and we want to ensure that justice is achieved for all those who have been victimised.” Phil Read, from the GMB, which has been leading the campaign against blacklisting, said there were no trades against the women’s names on the list. He said: “How on earth do people like that end up on a construction blacklist and what on earth are they doing on some form of blacklist? They have never worked in construction and they all have that common thread of being environmentalists.”