Offer by blacklisters ‘a travesty’

A compensation scheme for blacklisted workers proposed by the largest companies involved has been slammed by construction union UCATT and the BSG Blacklist Support Group.

After seeing the key features and principles of the scheme, UCATT said it was ”a blatant attempt to gag blacklisted workers” and that if introduced would represent a “complete travesty of justice”.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the BSG walked out of a meeting with representatives of the scheme after describing it as “a piss take”.

UCATT’s key concerns are that the scheme would not represent an admission of liability by the companies involved in blacklisting and any worker taking part in the scheme would have to drop all other legal claims. Compensation payments would begin at just £1,000.

The union is also concerned that:

• the scheme would be open for just a year;

• there is no intention to hold hearings into the claims of blacklisted workers and most cases would be resolved on paper;

• only workers whose addresses have been identified would be informed of the scheme; and

• all decisions would be made by a High Court judge with no input from the unions or the blacklisted workers.

UCATT general secretary Steve Murphy said: “The companies involved … are not even prepared to accept liability for their disgusting actions. They are trying to buy the silence of workers for as little as £1,000.”

www.ucatt.org.uk/blacklisting-compensation-scheme-travesty-justice