Great Britain: unions reject businesses’ payout offer in the construction blacklisting case

Details of the proposals to compensate blacklisted workers in the construction industry have emerged.  Eight construction companies (Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Costain, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK and Vinci) committed to set up this compensation fund for employees who couldn’t find a job on a site because they were blacklisted for raising issues of health and safety or of workers’ rights.  The three construction unions (GMB, UCATT and Unite) entered into talks to agree on the terms of the Construction Workers’ Compensation Scheme, but they are not pleased with the first proposals.  (Ref.  130680)
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The terms on offer from the employers have been met with trenchant criticism from the unions concerned. The terms set a standard minimum payment of £1,000 (€1,191) for workers deemed to have suffered no loss from appearing on The Consulting Association database (which was used by contractors to discriminate against workers by ending, not beginning or not renewing their employment).

The trade magazine, Construction Enquirer, reported individual payouts to attested victims could rise up to £100,00

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