Three groups of U.K. construction workers have secured compensation for losses caused by an unlawful blacklist used by leading contractors for years, starting in the mid-1990s (ENR 10/19/15 p. 7).
Details of more than 3,000 workers—considered to be troublesome for raising concerns about health, safety and other matters—were kept by the now defunct Consulting Association on a register used by more than 40 firms, according to a 2009 investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office, the U.K.’s data protection regulator. The April 29 settlement covers more than 400 workers in two unions with Balfour Beatty plc., Carillion plc., Costain Group plc, Kier Group plc., Laing O’Rourke Ltd., Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd., Skanska U.K. plc. and VINCI plc. The contractors agreed to pay legal costs. However, 290 workers in other unions continue their claims.