UCATT takes construction giants to court over blacklisting

29 November 2013

Construction workers’ union UCATT has begun legal proceedings against several major construction companies who have been involved in the blacklisting scandal.

The union is taking Skanska, Balfour Beatty, Bam, CB&I, Costain, Carillion, Laing O’Rourke, Lend Lease, Sir Robert McAlpine and Vinci to court.

In related action, Sir Robert McAlpine has already denied to a high court judge using information from The Consulting Association (TCA) to blacklist employees, saying it was merely “keeping an eye” on them.

“Blacklisting companies wilfully destroyed the lives of ordinary construction workers and acted as thought they were above the law,” General Secretary of UCATT Steve Murphy said.

“Our legal action will ensure that the victims receive the justice they deserve,” he vowed.

UCATT are also going to take unprecedented action against an individual for their involvement in the scandal. The case will be against a former chair of TCA, who also held a position as senior HR Manager at a major construction firm implicated in the blacklisting scandal.