Lothians workers were put on blacklist

nearly 70 building workers from the Lothians were among more than 3200 names on a blacklist drawn up by construction companies.

The GMB union published a map showing the full extent of blacklisting as part of a campaign for compensation.

It shows 52 workers from Edinburgh, 12 from West Lothian, three from Midlothian and one for East Lothian featured. The existence of the list was revealed after a raid by the Information Commissioner’s Office in 2009, which led to the Consulting Association – a body set up by construction industry players – being closed.

Unions say workers were included if they raised health and safety issues, or were union activists.

GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: “We believe councils should not award work to the companies that operated the blacklist until they compensate those they damaged.”