Government is seeking your views on new regulations which will make it illegal for trade unionists to be denied a job because their name appears on a blacklist.
All interested parties have until August 18 to submit your responses to the consultation launched this week by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).

The consultation proposes:

•to make it unlawful for organisations to refuse employment or sack individuals as a result of appearing on a blacklist;

•to make it unlawful for employment agencies to refuse to provide a service on the basis of appearing on a blacklist;

•to enable individuals or unions to pursue compensation or solicit action against those who compile, distribute or use blacklists.

The consultation document also asks readers if they have any other evidence of trade union blacklisting.

Ministers plan to seek parliamentary approval for the regulations in the autumn and implement them as soon as possible.

This consultation is running for shorter than the usual period of six weeks to enable legislation to be brought forward as soon as possible.

In March 2009, the Information Commissioner reported that 40 construction companies had subscribed to a database used to vet construction workers, which has now been closed under data protection law. In response to the new evidence the government announced that it would seek to bring forward legislation to outlaw blacklisting.

Under the Employment Relations Act 1999, the government has the power to introduce regulations prohibiting the blacklisting of workers for their union membership or activities.

Business secretary Lord Mandelson said: 'Blacklisting someone because they are a member of a trade union is totally unacceptable'. 'I am determined to act quickly to stamp out this despicable practice.

The consultation can be viewed here blacklistconsultation