Firms including Balfour Beatty, Laing O鈥橰ourke and Sir Robert McAlpine also agree to put 拢230k into training fund

blacklisting-photos

Seven contractors have agreed to pay more than 50 workers close to 拢36,000 each in compensation after Unite settled its case against firms who blacklisted workers.

Balfour Beatty, Costain, Kier, Laing O鈥橰ourke, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK and Vinci have all reached an agreement with the union which will see them shell out 拢1.9m in compensation to 53 workers.

The contractors have also agreed to put 拢230,000 into a training fund, which will be administered by Unite, for all victims of blacklisting who have brought proceedings.

Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said: 鈥淭he creation of a training fund controlled by Unite is a huge breakthrough and is to be welcomed as it will allow the union to assist victims of blacklisting return to employment.鈥

The seven contractors have said they will aim to work at national, regional and site level to ensure that the modern UK construction sector provides the highest standards of employment and HR practice.

鈥淭he blacklisting construction companies鈥 promised public statement is welcome about their future good behaviour and a new relationship with unions,鈥 added Beckett.

The latest court case follows the 2016 court action which resulted in Unite securing 拢19.34m for 412 blacklisted workers.