A LONG-RUNNING bid for compensation for construction workers who were blacklisted for engaging in trade union activity has been formally brought to an end at the High Court.
An agreed statement announcing the settlement of the litigation between members of the Ucatt, Unite and GMB unions and a large number of Britain’s leading construction firms was read out to Mr Justice Supperstone who was due to try the case in London this week.
But a packed courtroom erupted when counsel for the companies, Andrew Caldecott QC, rose to offer their “sincere and unreserved apologies” for the damage caused.
Led by Blacklist Support Group secretary Dave Smith, Mr Caldecott’s words were drowned out by cries of “No justice, no peace”.
Before counsel could resume, Mr Smith shouted to applause: “Under no circumstances do we consider this to be a sincere apology.”
Mr Caldecott said that appropriate sums by way of damages and costs had been agreed but no figures were revealed in court.
Earlier this week, Unite announced it had reached a settlement which would see 256 workers receive more than £10 million in compensation. Unite said payouts could range from £25,000 to £200,000 per claimant, depending on factors such as loss of income and the seriousness of the defamation.
The GMB, which reached a settlement last month, said it understands the total value of compensation in the case was about £75m for 771 claimants with legal costs on both sides estimated at £25m.
Blacklisting came to light in 2009 when the Information Commissioner’s Office seized a Consulting Association database of 3,213 construction workers and environmental activists used by 44 companies to vet new recruits and keep out of employment trade union and health and safety activists.
Some of those on the list said they were denied work, while a handful moved abroad because they could not find jobs in this country.
A statement on behalf of Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Costain, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK and Vinci PLC – announcing the settlement of the litigation at the start of the week – said that, in October 2015, they acknowledged the system was unlawful in various respects and made a full public apology.
Maria Ludkin, GMB legal director, said later: “All GMB could ever get for our members was compensation and a full apology. We feel truly vindicated.”
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