Union accident compensation wins rise to £7m

Workers were awarded £7.1m in accident damages last year in cases brought by construction’s largest union UCATT.

Compensation awards were up 11% from £6.35m won in 2009.

George Guy, acting general secretary of UCATT, said: “These figures demonstrate that construction workers remain highly vulnerable to injury while at work.

“Far too many construction companies continue to fail to take safety at work seriously.”

UCATT also won over £1.4m for members in employment tribunal awards in 2010, also up from figures recorded in 2009.

Guy added: “Employers have tried to use the recession to sack workers and ignore employment laws.

“Employers need to realise that they cannot get away with these actions and UCATT will always seek justice for our members.”