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2012 stadium builders are accused of blacklisting troublemakers
Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent22 Apr 2009
THE company building the stadium for the London Olympics has been accused of unfairly "blacklisting" potential troublemakers seeking jobs on the 2012 project.
Sir Robert McAlpine, which is part of a consortium constructing the 80,000-seat venue in Stratford, is one of 40 companies named in an investigation by a government agency that polices data protection laws.
The Information Commissioner claims that Sir Robert McAlpine paid to access details of 10,000 potential employees on a database. It is claimed the database held names accompanied by notes such as "poor time keeper, will cause trouble", "Irish ex-Army bad egg" and "lazy and a trouble stirrer".
Fears that thousands of employees had been blacklisted were sparked by a raid on the offices of a private detective from Worcestershire who is accused of charging £3,000 a year for illegally passing on details.
Sir Robert McAlpine allegedly made a payment of about £6,000 to Ian Kerr, of Droitwich, for information on workers between April and June last year. Around the same time, construction started on the Olympic stadium where the number of workers on site has risen to about 500.
Other construction companies under investigation have also won contracts with the Olympic Delivery Authority.
These include Balfour Beatty, which won the £303 million aquatics centre job, and Laing O'Rourke, which is part of the CLM consortium with a £400 million contract as project consultants.
The companies face legal action and fines if found guilty of breaching data protection laws.
Sir Robert McAlpine denied it was blacklisting workers.
A spokeswoman said: "Sir Robert McAlpine is aware of the ICO's investigations into how the construction industry uses data while these investigations are ongoing.
"On all of our projects employment is offered on the basis of experience and expertise. No one has ever been denied employment on any of our sites, including the Olympic main stadium site, on the basis of their beliefs or background."
One union described blacklisting as "deplorable".
Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of construction union Ucatt, said: "It is especially deplorable that blacklisting appears to have taken place on the Olympic Stadium, the showpiece structure for the whole Olympics."
A spokesman for the ODA said: "This issue is being looked at by the Information Commissioner's Office. All our contractors are required to operate within the law."
Reader views (12)
Quite right. That way they will finish on time.
- Hatchet, Newcastle Australia, 26/05/2009 11:25
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Simple answer do not under any circumstances employ British workers manual workers.
- Nick Holland, glasgow, 26/05/2009 10:25
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If the contractors/builders did not carry out due diligence they would be held by the balls by unscrupulous workers and shop stewards and unions. There would be stoppages bringing about delays ultimately costing the taxpayer yet more money. It should be lawful to ban workers with a bad record. It makes sense if one wants a successful and happy workforce.
- Ralph, London, England, 26/05/2009 10:25
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Those with nothing to hide should have nothing to fear! -Except,- too bad if someone is wrongly accused of something!- Who is vetting the quality of the detective's work?
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland, 26/05/2009 10:25
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What is wrong with trying to ensure you get the work you contracted to do is undertaken on time and without trouble? After all, if you don't, you will be a failed business and unable to continue to employ people. Why should trouble makers be given the opportunity and platform to ruin things for everyone, time and again?
- Helen, norwich, 26/05/2009 10:25
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Good!!!! That seems eminently sensible. Who wants troublemakers to upset the apple cart?
- Scott, london, 26/05/2009 10:25
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Why shouldn't they try and get the best workers? Every employer who needs to make money and finish projects on time and within budget would be mad or deeply complacent to do otherwise,even those funded by the tax payer. As a tax payer, I am all for that.
- Helen, norwich, 26/05/2009 10:25
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When UCATT can behave responsibly they will get my support on this matter but as they never have to date this is what happens.
You cause the issues don't be too surprised when employers want to make sure your shop stewards/bully boys are not in their employ.
Lets give the cycle the project gets 2/3 built and then the UCATT members demand more money. When they pay tax properly and declare all they earn and don't write off every household bill against tax I might be prepared to think they have a point.
- Duncan, Kent, 26/05/2009 10:25
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This shows the companies are professional doing all they can to prevent the job from not being completed on time,thus saving the taxpayer a fortune.
- David, london, 26/05/2009 10:25
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They are probably trying to prevent those who delayed the Wembley project (and allegedly made piles of money from betting on the stadium not being open for the 2006 Cup Final) from getting involved with the Olympics
- Blue Baby, London, 26/05/2009 10:25
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Anybody who believes this has not been going on for years is delusional! I've worked in construction for years. I have met and worked with these union guys who look to cause problems where there is none. I certainly would strive to stop these guys if I had a company.
- Duncan Walker, Ex Peckham now Thailand, 26/05/2009 10:25
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Why don't they grow up? All businesses carry out credit checks on other businesses BEFORE granting credit, in order to minimise risk.
So what's the difference here? How can you penalise companies for trying to protect their trade from skivers and trouble makers.
It is rather a shame, but is it any surprise that all the jobs go to foreign temporary workers?
- Haskey, London SE1, 26/05/2009 10:25
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