14 June 2013

The UK's third largest union, GMB, has taken construction giant Carillion to the High Court of London over claims including defamation of blacklisted workers.

Union News reported last year that compensation for all blacklisted employees could reach £600 million in total, after initial claims lodged last year were valued at £17 million.

The GMB have accused Carillion of unlawful surveillance and defamation, because information kept on the database of known blacklisting maintenance firm The Consulting Association was "irrelevant or just plain wrong". However, the presence of workers' names on the database kept a significant number from finding gainful work for many years due to the damage to their reputation.

One of the union's lawyers Michael Newman, from the law firm Leigh Day, told Union News: "We are absolutely confident that the High Court will find that substantial compensation and damages are due from the construction industry for what was effectively a black market in destroying workers' reputations and job prospects."

The charges are being brought on behalf of 70 workers, who say they were blacklisted by Carillion and other firms in the construction industry.

GMB National Officer for legal and corporate affairs Maria Ludkin said this is "only the tip of the iceberg", with almost 3,000 other workers named by the Consulting Association due compensation.

"Finally, construction companies will be called to account for the systematic campaign to wipe out union organisation on construction sites," she told Union News. "GMBT is pleased to be the first union to bring this wide-ranging High Court action on behalf of our members."