A minister undertook a lighting about-turn yesterday over plans to publish the names of anyone lodging a claim at an employment tribunal on a website after unions warned the proposal would encourage company blacklisting of "troublemakers".

Alan Johnson, the industry minister, already facing a backbench revolt over plans to impose fees for using the employment service, killed the website plan yesterday. He said the proposal had never been put directly to ministers and was the brainchild of civil servants.

Names of applicants at present can only be accessed manually at an obscure government office in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

The Department of Trade and Industry had viewed the website as a form of routine electronic modernisation. But unions feared the website could be open to abuse by rogue emplyers. There are signs that blacklisting is reappearing, especially as employers try to fight off union recognition ballots.

Jon Cruddas, the Labour MP for Dagenham, had also warned: "This appears to be yet another disincentive for workers to seek justice. Blacklisting appears to be returning through the back door."

TUC officials also pointed out yesterday that employees are required to file an application within three months of the alleged offence. By putting the name on a website immediately, the chances of conciliation would be reduced.

One company is already using the manual files on employment tribunals to offer a service to companies on the employment history.

Tribunal Info says on its website: "You as an employer will expect to build a picture of a potential employees past career history. Participation in employment tribunals is an important component."