Former Connaught employees launch legal action

Construction union Ucatt has launched legal action on behalf of former employees at Connaught in Norwich, following the social housing contractor’s collapse last September.

The union is pursuing employment tribunal cases against Connaught for unfair dismissal and failure to inform and consult on behalf of 125 members, who were employed by Connaught to undertake repairs and maintenance on Norwich council’s housing stock.

Ucatt is also pursuing tribunal cases against Lovell, which took over the Norwich contract, and its subcontractors Warden Rooney and Ashford Commercial, over a failure to transfer staff. 

It says Lovell signed the deal to take on the Connaught contracts before the workers were made redundant - but did not offer them their jobs.

Brian Rye, regional secretary for Ucatt Eastern Region, said: “Our members have been treated shamefully and continue to struggle to regain employment, usually on much lower terms and conditions. This legal action is absolutely essential as these workers lost their jobs through absolutely no fault of their own.”

The move follows legal proceedings issued by Ucatt and the GMB union against Kier, Lovell, KWL and KPMG in a row over wage payments to ex-Connaught workers at Hull City Council.

Further action on behalf of ex-Connaught employees on other contracts is expected to follow.