Tuesday 12 January 2016

MSP's call for Pitchford public inquiry in Scotland!

We are publishing below a recent briefing from the Blacklist Support Group (BSG)

1. High Court
"The High Court litigation has reached a crucial point with the companies offering money in an attempt to buy themselves out of any justice. Many blacklisted workers have point blankly rejected the insulting offers and are determined to carry on to full trial. Blacklist Support Group is holding collective consultation meetings for claimants in the High Court today at 5:30pm (Monday 11th Jan). The UNITE National Construction Committee is also meeting to discuss the latest developments today. 
Next High Court hearing dates:
21-22 January 2016

2. Scotland
Scottish SNP government proposed new regulations have the potential to ban from public contracts, companies in breach of blacklisting regulations or who admit blacklisting. This is a significant step forward and a tribute to the long hard campaign fought by all the blacklisted workers, unions and comrades in different political parties in Scotland. Obviously, we wait to see if the proposals are fully implemented but blacklisted workers would like to see other public authorities implementing similar measures. At the BSG parliamentary meeting before Xmas, shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP told blacklisted workers that Labour is in the process of drawing up new guidelines for Labour Councils on public procurement which would also exclude blacklisting firms.

3. Anfield protest against Carillion 
Blacklist Support Group are linking up with the Hillsborough Justice Campaign and the Merseyside Construction Committee to protest against the use of the notorious blacklisting firm Carillion to build the new stand at the televised Liverpool v Man Utd match this coming Sunday. Football is a working class game. Undercover police have conspired to infiltrate both trade unions and the grieving Hillsborough families and their campaigns. Two struggles, One fight for justice. (Banner image attached). Great work by Roy Bentham. 
Sunday 17th January 2016
11-12:30
Main Stand Anfield 
Liverpool Football Club
Speakers: Sheila Coleman, Ricky Tomlinson, Dave Smith (BSG), Joe Rollins of the Orgreave Justice Campaign and Ian Prowse with the latter singing the iconic 'My name is Dessie Warren' song. 

4. Undercover police spying on activists 
Scotland - after a meeting in Holyrood and numerous revelations in the Scottish media, there was a debate in the Scottish parliament with MSPs calling for a full public inquiry in Scotland similar to Pitchford. The Scottish government has now written to Lord Justice Pitchford. Well done Neil Findlay MSP 
Full verbatim report of the debate:  http://www.theyworkforyou.com/sp/?id=2016-01-06.20.0

Bob Lambert MBE, head of the Special Demonstration Squad has resigned from his academic posts after campaigns by activists

Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance (COPS) public meeting (flyer attached) 
Thursday 21st January 2016 - 6:30pm 
UNITE the Union
Holborn

Pitchford Inquiry pre-hearings continue at Royal Courts of Justice:: 
27th January - discussing burden of proof
2nd March - discussing immunity

Women activists get recognised in Guardian's alternative New Years Honours List - richly deserved. 
Various Press:

5. National Construction Rank & File meeting
Sat 6th February
Jury's Inn
Glasgow

6. Asbestos companies spied on safety activists 


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