Blacklisting

A shocking example of institutional bullying is the blacklisting of workers, particularly, but not only, in the construction industry. In 2009, the Information Commissioner’s Office blew the lid on a mass surveillance operation of thousands of construction workers, many of whom suffered years of unemployment after being secretly blacklisted for their trade union activity, or being vocal about health and safety. More recently, a former undercover police officer publicly admitted, and apologised for, spying on activists in UNISON, the FBU, CWU, NUT and the National Union of Students.