Union claims £1m back-pay victory for HS2 workers

Aaron Morby 6 years ago
Share

HS2 joint venture partners Costain and Skanska have pledged back-pay to hundreds of workers at the Euston site in London to settle a row about overtime pay rates and holiday entitlement.

Unions claim victory in battle over upholding HS2 work rates agreement
Unions claim victory in battle over upholding HS2 work rates agreement

Construction union Unite secured a commitment from the joint venture after its labour only supplier, Bowercross Construction, was exposed for failing to pay around 200 workers on enabling works the correct overtime rates and deprived them of correct holiday entitlement.

Unite said this meant that workers were on average being underpaid by over £100 a week. The union estimates the final back-pay bill could be over £1m.

The issue came to a head last week when Unite revealed that it had obtained multiple payslips from workers that proved they were not being paid in accordance with the project framework agreement,  signed by unions and HS2 in April 2016.

A Costain Skanska joint venture spokesperson said: “Costain Skanska JV  uses approved suppliers to provide labour to some of our sites on the HS2 enabling works programme.

“The workers in question are paid via PAYE and receive full employment rights, which include a minimum of the London Living Wage, EU holiday and sick pay and welfare benefits.

“We have looked into Unite’s report concerning the industry agreement rate for overtime and weekend duty, as well as holiday entitlement. The company concerned has been instructed to remedy this with immediate effect so that we meet our required standards.”

It added: “CSJV remains keen to maintain a working dialogue with Unite to ensure that its members’ views are considered and any concerns can be addressed swiftly.

“We have offered Unite access to site inductions where they can recruit members, as well as a suitable meeting room for recruitment and member engagement purposes, so that people working on our sites can choose how to spend their break times.”

It is the second time unions and BCL and CSJV have clashed.

Last autumn Unite discovered that contrary to the agreement, BCL was not paying £1.49 a week per worker to provide the correct accident and death benefit cover.

When the CSJV was challenged on this matter it not only assured Unite that the issue had been resolved but also confirmed they had conducted an extensive audit costing £60,000 of its subcontractors and all other matters were in order.

Unite national officer Jerry Swain, said: “CSJV had no option once the scandal of the underpayments was revealed by Unite to immediately ensure the correct rates are paid.

“Questions remain about who knew and for how long; workers were being underpaid and exploited.

“The commitment to not only pay the correct rates but also ensures that everyone who has been underpaid will receive the correct back pay, demonstrated the value of unions.”

 

Latest news

Deck falls off huge scissor lift at Winvic site

Two men seriously injured as platform plunges to the ground
2 days ago

Bouygues seals deal for £119m Cardiff college campus

Construction to start in June on two new buildings
2 days ago

Bid race starts for £15bn schools framework refresh

DfE throws framework open to more contractors
2 days ago

Berkeley’s £600m Borough Triangle project approved

Controversial scheme features two towers of 38 and 44-storeys
3 days ago

London Mayor calls in blocked 600-bed student scheme

Refused 20-storey London PBSA block may still be built
2 days ago

HG to build 500-bed London Stratford student scheme

Work will start later this year subject to gateway 2 safety approval
3 days ago

Arrest after pedestrian death on construction site

Tragedy during site preparation works for new Wigan car park
2 days ago

British Steel threatens closure of Scunthorpe blast furnaces

Chinese owners say sectional steel and rail supplies will be maintained
3 days ago

Planning green light for Sheffield warehouse site

Existing factories to be demolished in new scheme for Rula Developments
2 days ago

New rail property company to unlock land for 40,000 homes

First four sites released in Newcastle, Cambridge, Manchester, and Nottingham
3 days ago

Drainage specialist Subscan files administration notice

Specialist employing 131 people files court notice
3 days ago

Four win Network Rail £300m engineering design deal

Eastern region deal will include design for Northern Powerhouse Rail
3 days ago

Funding go-ahead for Banwell bypass after fresh cost hike

Galliford Try contract rises £14m to £64m after final design change
4 days ago

Graham wins Southport £75m Marine Lakes Centre

Firm replaces Kier which parted ways with backer Sefton Council
4 days ago

Chancellor unveils extra £2bn capital spend a year

Construction promised a defence dividend in military base and homes upgrade work
4 days ago

McLaren confirms subcontractor team on £135m warehouse job

Work starts on TN2 Gateway site in Kent.
4 days ago

Vistry profits slump after site costs reporting debacle

House builder launches internal whistle-blowing service in business culture review
4 days ago

Severfield chief to step down

Alan Dunsmore to leave structural steel group by end of June
4 days ago

Funding hurdle remains as Lower Thames Crossing gains consent

Government claims £9bn project may start in 2026 as private finance options explored
5 days ago

Mace wins £600m Euston Tower overhaul

1970s tower's foundations and core to be retained as floor plates extended
5 days ago

Summer start for main works on London green tower

Axa sanctions start at 50 Fenchurch Street 36-storey office block
4 days ago

Japan’s leading flats builder JVs with L&G for UK push

Partners plan to build over 1,000 rental homes in London
4 days ago

Wates submits plan for 1,000 homes Harrow council scheme

Former civic centre Poets' Corner site kicks off housing partnership
5 days ago

Morgan Sindall upgrades forecast for next 12 months

Overbury fit-out arm gets off to a flying start in 2025
5 days ago

Restructure underway at Henry Boot Construction

New management team restructures business after drop in turnover
5 days ago

Government pledges £2bn stop-gap funding for 18,000 homes

Funding avoids cliff-edge in social housing delivery before new grant programme agreed
5 days ago

Just two major new roads schemes to start this year

National Highways sets out one-year interim spending plan after RIS3 delay
5 days ago

Plans go in for £400m GRAHAM Manchester site

Demolition and enabling works underway with main construction set to start next year
5 days ago

Building safety levy rate set at up to £10,000 a home in London

Levy introduction pushed back a year to Autumn 2026 - list of new rates
6 days ago

BAM wins £100m revamp of Broadgate Tower in London

Front of tower 3-storey extension to use cross laminate time and re-used steel
6 days ago

Contractor services