Sacking "unfair"

Eighty electricians, sacked because they refused to work wearing damp protective clothing, were unfairly dismissed, an employment tribunal has ruled.

Construction company Balfour Kilpatrick must now pay the basic award of £3,300 to each, a total of £264,000. But the final compensation bill could be many times that as the electricians are also claiming loss of earnings, which will be decided at a remedy hearing in February.

Jimmy Thomson, who was the T&G shop steward on the site, said: "This is a landmark ruling - hopefully after this large employers will heed laws and look after the health and safety of their employees."

Balfour Kilpatrick has said it is likely to appeal.