Viridor has been threatened with legal action by Unite after engineering and construction workers were locked out of a waste power plant site in Glasgow.
The company had previously been appointed by the city council to build a new Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre in Polmadie. Subsequently, Interserve was sub-contracted to deliver construction work on the scheme.
However, due to a series of issues and delays, Interserve was taken off the project last month. As a result, the contractor has informed workers they will be let go and paid off. It is understood up to 150 workers are affected.
With Viridor still to announce who their new preferred contractor is, Unite said the employees are protected by Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment Regulations (TUPE).
The organisation understands around 100 scaffolders have been told by Interserve that they will be kept on for 20 days. Another 60 workers involved in thermal insulation and mechanical and electrical work have been locked off the site and given a week's notice.
Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said: "As far as we're concerned, our members are protected by TUPE regulations. Any employer trying to breach our members' rights will leave themselves open to possible legal action.
"Viridor is getting paid out of public money. It is their inaction that has put our members in this situation. That is completely unacceptable.
"We urge Viridor to urgently act to sort this situation out and we are calling on Glasgow City Council to help. We are consulting with our lawyers and will do everything in our power to ensure that our members on this publicly-funded project are treated with dignity and respect – and that their legal rights are respected."
(LM/MH)
Construction News
09/12/2016
Unite Slams Viridor Over Glasgow Waste Power Plant Lay-Offs


16/04/2025
Construction work on the £5 million repair and refurbishment project at the Loch Centre in Tranent is scheduled to commence in June 2026.
East Lothian Council has announced the anticipated start date for the significant upgrade to the well-used community facility.
Under the current timetable, the

16/04/2025
A £636,000 project to install solar panels at the Gorbals water pumping station in South Ayrshire has been successfully completed.
The scheme aims to provide a renewable energy source for pumping water to thousands of customers in the region.
The project involved the installation of 793 solar pan

16/04/2025
A planning application has been lodged with Glasgow City Council by The JR Group, acting on behalf of Wheatley Group, for the construction of 29 much-needed affordable homes in the Baillieston area of the city.
The proposed development on Caledonia Road will offer a mix of one- and two-bedroom apa

16/04/2025
Residents in 20 blocks of flats across Coatbridge are already experiencing the positive impacts of a recently completed, ambitious energy efficiency refurbishment project.
The extensive construction work has delivered significant improvements to the properties, including the installation of cavity

16/04/2025
Ground investigation works are commencing this month at the proposed site for Orkney Islands Council’s Scapa Deep Water Quay at Deepdale in Holm.
These initial investigations will be followed by marine-based site investigation works scheduled to begin in June.
These works form part of the Pre-Con

16/04/2025
Construction work has been finalised on a significant new housing development in Motherwell town centre, delivering 42 newly built, highly energy-efficient flats alongside the respectful conversion of the B-Listed YMCA building into a further six homes. The project, part of North Lanarkshire Council

16/04/2025
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has today released its year-end performance data for its New Entrant Support Team (NEST), revealing a significant increase in apprenticeship starts. During the financial year 2024-25, NEST supported 4,128 individuals in commencing apprenticeships, a su

16/04/2025
A water-powered mill in Angus is set to grind grain once again after receiving a record-breaking donation to fund its restoration.
The National Trust for Scotland has announced that a long-time member of the conservation charity has gifted an incredible £2.4 million, one of the largest single dona

15/04/2025
Construction of a £70 million student accommodation development at 292-298 St Vincent Street in Glasgow has reached a significant milestone, with the building now visibly rising from the ground.
Drone footage has captured the progress of the project, which is a partnership between developer Artisa

15/04/2025
Energy regulator Ofgem is expected to confirm today (April 15) its finalised Connections Reform process, designed to expedite grid connections for renewable energy projects that are ready and crucial for achieving the UK's clean power targets for 2030 and beyond.
The new connections system, anticip