Unite, is taking legal action on behalf of hundreds of skilled construction workers who have been locked out of the construction of the fifth largest bioethanol plant in Europe.

The union has accused the contractor, Redhall Engineering which was doing mechanical and piping work on the site, of treating its workforce "disgracefully" and using them as an "industrial football".

On 11 March, Redhall Engineering Solutions Ltd were informed by the project's managing contractor, Aker-Process Ltd that its contract had been terminated. Instead of informing its workforce and working with the unions to either find suitable alternative employment for the workers on the project or agree an appropriate financial settlement with the workers, many of whom have years of service, the company behaved as if it was business as usual. It told the workforce to turn up to work on Monday, 14 March. The workers then found they had been locked out of the project.

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Bernard McAulay, Unite national officer for construction said: "Redhall have been using these workers as an industrial football while washing its hands of any responsibility to help the workers many of whom have years of service. The union is taking hundreds of legal cases against the company for issues ranging from unfair dismissal to unlawful deduction of wages. This employer has a choice, it can sit down with the unions and settle this through negotiation or it faces hundreds of legal cases against it and a massive bill."

"Our members have been available to work and complete this project to the highest industry standards, but are being denied that opportunity."

Vivergo is a consortium made up of Dupont, British Sugar and BP. They are building a bio-ethanol plant in Hull. Aker-Process Ltd is the managing contractor. There were 21 contractors on site. Redhall's contract has been terminated by the managing contractor.

(CD/KMcA)