Unite has welcomed EDF Energy's cast iron protections against blacklisting at its proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in Somerset.

EDF Energy is giving evidence to the Scottish Affairs Select Committee inquiry into blacklisting in employment to highlight best practice in relation to recruitment practices for the proposed new nuclear power station in Somerset. The hearing is at 1pm and is expected to last an hour.

EDF Energy, Unite and the GMB signed a groundbreaking labour agreement for workers who will build the proposed new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset.

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The agreement ensures procedures are in place to protect construction workers against blacklisting. The agreement provides for an open and transparent hiring process along the contract chain and also includes trade union involvement in auditing recruitment.

Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: "By working with the unions EDF Energy has put in place cast iron protections for construction workers against blacklisting at Hinkley Point.

"We welcome EDF energy's acknowledgment that the hiring process should be open and transparent right along the contract chain. We particularly welcome trade union involvement in auditing recruitment.

"This agreement with EDF Energy is a significant step in the right direction and is bad news for the worst construction employers who hide behind pre-employment vetting to filter out decent men and women who are trade union members."

(CD/JP)