A construction company that blacklisted workers could get tens of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to build Dundee’s new railway station despite a council commitment not to use firms that engaged in the controversial practice.
City planners have recommended Balfour Beatty be paid £28 million to build the new station, which is 18 months delayed and £7m over budget.
The firm was one of several high-profile construction businesses that used the services of The Consulting Association (TCA) a group that compiled lists of allegedly troublesome unionised workers so building firms could avoid employing them.
TCA was shut down in 2009 following a government swoop and a number of companies have expressed regret for using its services.
Last year, councillors agreed that the city council should avoid giving contracts to firms involved in blacklisting, which is also the policy of the Scottish Government.
Labour member Richard McCready said he was bemused that city planners had recommended the use of a firm that “falls foul of Dundee City Council’s clear and unequivocal opposition to blacklisting”.
He said: “I am surprised that Balfour Beatty have been put forward for this contract.
“I cannot understand how councillors can have voted for a strong stance against blacklisting and then would let this go through without making their views known.
“I have written to the chief executive asking for an explanation of how it is that Dundee City Council’s own policies are being ignored.
“I will be trying to get the council to take a stance against blacklisting tonight.”
Administration leader Ken Guild hit back saying that Network Rail was responsible for providing the list of companies that could be used.
He added: “If (Balfour Beatty) weren’t given the contract, the new railway station would not go ahead.
“If Mr McCready wants to stop the waterfront redevelopment he is going the right way about it.”
TCA operated for 16 years and compiled dossiers on thousands of allegedly troublesome construction workers, many of whom had made complaints about health and safety on building sites.
Before deciding whether to employ a worker, firms including BAM Construction, who deny ever engaging in the practice in Scotland, and Balfour Beatty would check their name against TCA records so they could avoid hiring people who might agitate for better working conditions.
There were significant anti- blacklisting protests by trade union groups in January when the council decided to use BAM Construction to build the V&A at Dundee.
Councillors will debate the contract to build the new rail station at a meeting of Monday night’s policy and resources committee.