Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Costain, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK and Vinci revealed today that they have settled the litigation between them and individuals represented by unions Ucatt and GMB and law firm GCR regarding the activities of the Economic League and the Consulting Association.
Settlement has yet to be reached with claimants represented by the Unite union.
The litigation arose after the activities of the Consulting Association were revealed following a raid by the Information Commissioner in February 2009.
In a joint statement issued to the press, the contractors said: “In October 2015, these construction companies, unlike any other companies involved in the vetting system, openly acknowledged that the system was unlawful in various respects and made a full public apology, which was widely reported at the time.
“UCATT, GMB and GCR have accepted this public apology.
“The construction companies have offered financial settlements which all claimants represented by Ucatt, GMB and GCR have now accepted as fair and reasonable. The parties have also agreed a joint statement to be read in court as part of this settlement.
“These construction companies now wish to draw a line under this matter and continue to work together with the trade unions at national, regional and site level to ensure that the modern UK construction industry provides the highest standards of employment and HR practice for its workforce.”
The construction companies have also agreed to pay the claimants’ legal costs.
Ucatt said: “Given that there remains outstanding litigation between the construction companies and other litigants with a trial due to start on 9th May 2016, it would be inappropriate to make any further comments at this stage.”
None of the parties involved disclosed the value of the settlement but the Morning Star put it at £250m.
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