More than 600 construction workers whose names appeared on an an industry-wide blacklist have moved closer to securing damages which could total tens of millions of pounds.



Solicitors representing eight leading construction firms have submitted an “unprecedented” apology to the high court for anxiety and distress caused to the workers, unions said on Thursday.

The defendants in the case include Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Costain, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK and VINCI.

The firms have admitted breaches of confidence and being part of an organisation that collected defamatory information against the workers.



The firms are still contesting the effect that it has had on the blacklisted people, legal sources said.



The list, drawn up by the Consulting Association, was discovered in 2009 and contained over 3,200 names, many of whom claim they were denied work as a result of being included.

Unions Unite, GMB and Ucatt said the construction firms have apologised as part of a continuing legal claim in the high court.

Payments will vary but could be worth up to £250,000 in some cases, according to Unite.



The secret file of more than 3,200 mainly construction workers was uncovered after a raid by the Information Commissioner’s Office on the Consulting Association.

Workers were included on the blacklist for raising health and safety concerns on building sites, or merely for being union activists, and were often denied work for years as a result.

It has recently been revealed that other workers, including firefighters, teachers and postal staff, had their details included on the blacklist.

Michael Newman of the law firm Leigh Day, which represents GMB members in the legal action against the construction companies, said: “Blacklisting is a timely reminder of the importance of trade union rights against the collective weight of corporate interests, and both the trade unions and the Blacklist Support Group have been tireless in their campaigning.

“For years the blacklisting construction companies have denied all liability, so these admissions represent a significant step towards securing the compensation these workers are due, and due recognition of the impact blacklisting had on their lives.”

The Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: “Blacklisting is a scandal that has ruined lives and led to hardship and misery for thousands of people. The admissions from the blacklisters and the damages for the blacklisted are an important step on the road to justice in righting that wrong.



“That road won’t be completed, though, or the stain of blacklisting removed until there is a full public inquiry and the livelihoods of the blacklisted restored by the firms involved giving them a permanent job.”



Maria Ludkin, GMB’s legal officer, said: “The fact that the companies have acknowledged the distress and anxiety caused to workers and their families now gives us a firm basis to make sure members are given the very substantial compensation they deserve, and that the true nature of the secretive Consulting Association is known.

“Even though it has taken years of fighting in the high court, the companies have now acknowledged that they infringed workers’ rights to confidentiality, privacy, reputation and data protection, which is an important battle to have won.

“The next fight is to ensure the companies are properly held accountable so that this cannot happen again.”

The building workers’ union Ucatt said most companies involved in the blacklisting saga had admitted their liability, describing it as a “massive breakthrough”.

Its acting general secretary, Brian Rye, said: “This is a highly significant step forward in the battle for blacklisting justice. Finally the companies have admitted their guilt and have begun to apologise. However, we will continue fighting until justice is achieved for all our affected members.

“While the admission of guilt, and the apology to those who were blacklisted, is a massive step forward, the high court case will continue as the companies still will not accept the significant loss of earnings that the victims of blacklisting suffered.”

John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said: “I am very happy for the workers and hopefully this is the first step on the path for them and their families to get the justice owed to them that has been too long been overdue.”