The following details have been supplied by the TUC:
A future Labour government will review the system of employment tribunal fees introduced by the current administration and is “open” to making blacklisting a criminal offence, the TUC’s Liverpool conference has heard.
Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna told unions the “unfair” and “unsustainable” tribunal fees system – which means workers can be required to pay up to £1,200 for taking a tribunal complaint about issues including victimisation for workplace safety activities – locks people out of justice. “Affordability should not be a barrier to workplace justice,” he said.
Pressed by delegates, he was unclear whether the fees system would be scrapped entirely.
The shadow minister also said Labour would consider making blacklisting a criminal offence. “I am open to whether criminal liability applies to this,” he said, but added: “I don’t want to prejudge the inquiry I have promised.” He said if is elected next year Labour will hold a full inquiry into blacklisting and those hearings will be held “in public”.
UCATT general secretary Steve Murphy responded: “With every day that passes the construction companies that blacklisted workers and ruined their lives are seeing the net tighten around them. There will be no hiding place for blacklisters.”
