GMB, the union for construction workers, is writing to all Birmingham city councillors requesting them to press Carillion Plc, bidding for the forthcoming Birmingham Energy Savers (BES) Scheme contract reportedly worth up to £1.5billion, to follow up their recent apology with compensation for the 224 workers they blacklisted.

Carillion's involvement with blacklisting came to light when, in 2009, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) seized a database of 3,213 construction workers used by 44 companies to vet new recruits and keep out of employment trade union and health and safety activists. Only 198 of those on the blacklist know they are on it leaving 3,015 unaware of this. ICO has refused to write to them direct as GMB is demanding.

In June 2012 GMB published a report showing that blacklisting by Carillion was not something isolated or rare. The report estimates that in one quarter that Carillion checked 2,776 names with the Consulting Association and in the period from October 1999 to April 2004 it estimates that Carillion checked at least 14,724 names. The GMB report 'BLACKLISTING - illegal corporate bullying endemic, systemic and deep-rooted in Carillion and other companies' has been sent to all Birmingham City Councillors.

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The Information Commissioner confirmed that 224 construction workers from around the UK were victims of blacklisting by Carillion. These names, on the files of the blacklisting body The Consulting Association, were released in the course of an Employment Tribunal earlier this year when Carillion was accused of blacklisting a construction worker in London.

Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary, said: "Birmingham councillors may see this apology as an important first step in recognition of the disgraceful and immoral behaviour of Carillion and many other construction companies. However Birmingham councillors should now press Carillion to quickly follow this first step by an acceptance of their responsibilities towards the people whose lives they blighted and damaged.

"This is important as Carillion bid for this big BES contract working for the people of Birmingham who will want Carillion to meet the standards of behaviour that are acceptable to the public.

"It has taken years of campaigning to get companies like Carillion to drop their denials and cover ups.

"GMB look forward to Carillion and other construction companies publishing the full details of all the people they blacklisted and accepting their full responsibilities in this matter."

(CD)