‘Blacklisted – The Secret War between Big Business and Union Activists’ by Dave Smith and Phil Chamberlin tells the story of the illegal strategies that transnational construction companies resorted to in their attempt to keep union activists away from their places of work.
This is a story of a bitter struggle, in which collusion with the police and security services resulted in victimization, violence and unemployment, with terrible effects on families and communities.
Drawing on first-hand accounts of the workers, the book reveals how, when major construction projects were unionized, those involved were unlawfully victimized.
From the building sites to the High Court, this is a story of ordinary working people taking on some of the most powerful transnational companies in the world.
With a full inquiry promised by the Labour Party, the practice of blacklisting is set to become a hot topic in the May general election. The book also reveals how blacklisting extended beyond construction activists to environmental campaigners, journalists, politicians and academics.
And it adds an international perspective with related stories from America and Europe.
Read the abstract of the book that appeared in The Guardian.
