Employment Law News
Windfall for blacklisted construction workers
More than 700 construction workers have received an estimated £75 million in compensation for the loss they suffered as a result of having been blacklisted.
The Consulting Association had operated a database of over 3,200 building workers for over 30 years. The database, which was used by some of the largest building companies in the UK, contained derogatory statements about workers such as “ex-shop steward, definite problems” or “will cause trouble, strong TU ”. The blacklist resulted in hundreds of people losing their jobs and being unable to obtain new employment.
Workers’ unions, Unite and GMB, have assisted affected workers in bringing claims against many well-known firms, including Sir Robert McAlpine, Balfour Beatty and Carillion. The settlements reached a total of around £75 million and will see each of the 771 workers receive between £25,000 and £200,000 depending on the seriousness of their treatment.
The construction firms also issued an “unreserved and sincere” apology, which was read out in the High Court and detailed the firms’ prior use of the blacklist during recruitment.
Read the press coverage here.