The GMB union has hit out at the "grossly inadequate" offer of compensation being offered to blacklisted construction workers.

The eight companies that have set up the compensation scheme have said for affected workers to contact them. The scheme offers payments ranging from £4,000 to £100,000, but the union has criticised the move, describing it as a "damage limitation publicity stunt". It added that more money would be won through the courts.

The Construction Workers Compensation Scheme (TCWCS) urges anyone in Scotland, who worked in construction anytime up to 2009, to get in touch to see if they are entitled to financial compensation. The scheme has been developed and funded by eight of the companies that were found to have used blacklisting practices. They are: Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Costain, Kier, Laing O'Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK and VINCI PLC.

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Any construction worker whose name appeared on the controversial file held by a company known as The Consulting Association has been urged to come forward. The file was seized following an investigation into 'blacklisting' practices within the construction sector. Many of those said to be on the list had previously been involved in union activities or had raised health and safety concerns. As a result of their name appearing on the file, the workers claim they have been denied jobs and therefore a loss of earnings.

Justin Bowden, GMB National Officer, said: "Most people blacklisted by the construction companies behind TCWCS stand to win many times more from the courts. Therefore they should not be fooled by the cut price compensation on offer and should see it for what it is, a damage limitation publicity stunt."

(JP/IT)