Workers walk-off Interserve job following payment row

Grant Prior 8 years ago
Share

Workers have downed tools on a major London fit-out job following a payment row.

Workers gather at the site gates on Wednesday
Workers gather at the site gates on Wednesday

The Enquirer understands that around 20 workers from an Essex M&E contractor walked-off the job earlier this week where Interserve company Paragon is the main contractor.

They have also been staging protests at the site gates and today Paragon pledged to resolve the dispute stepping in to pay workers direct.

The £4m job is to fit-out The Point office building in Paddington for client BT.

Union sources said the Essex firm had been working as a sub-subcontractor when it stopped paying its team last week.

The workers took direct action in a bid to get their cash.

The Enquirer understands that the payment hold-up involves the main subcontractor

Unite London region official Harry Cowap said: “It’s shaming that this sort of thing is still going on and that companies and workers are forced to protest at the gates to get money they have worked hard for.

“We are talking massive companies involved in this job with BT the client and Interserve’s Paragon the main contractor.

“No-one seems to be really sure who is holding up the payments in the supply chain.

“But my members don’t care about complicated subcontracting arrangements – they just want to get paid.”

A Paragon spokesperson said: “Paragon supports its supply chain and ensures that prompt payments are made and can confirm that payments have been made in accordance with the subcontract agreement in this case.

“One of our subcontractors on the project is experiencing some financial challenges. We are working closely with the subcontractor to help them address their issues and to supplement any additional labour that is required as the project progresses.

“Today, having met with the contractor in question we have reached an agreement to pay its supply chain directly to ensure the workforce is compensated for the work carried out on site to date.

“We would like to thank all parties involved for their support in finding a speedy, practical and amicable resolution to this issue.”

Latest news

Balfour Beatty terminates Danny Sullivan labour deals

Around 500 workers on HS2 will be moved to alternative agencies or be taken on direct
20 hours ago

Trio face prosecution after Hinkley site death

Main contractors and client to face charges over death of site supervisor
20 hours ago

Buyers see recovery in house building sector

But civil and commercial work still in the doldrums
1 day ago

Apprentice saws-off thumb on hotel refurb site

Court hears how digit was reattached and teenager continued training with another firm
1 day ago

Laing O’Rourke tops June contracts league

£919m animal super lab dominates new orders
2 days ago

TSL turnover smashes £500m as profit almost trebles

Data centre and logistics contractor rises high on surging demand
1 day ago

Gleeson Homes chief exec leaves business after restructure

Management revamp after "challenging" year
2 days ago

Green light for 1,600-home Oldham town centre overhaul

Plans for over 1,600 homes across six regeneration sites approved
2 days ago

DSM wins Norwich city centre clearance job

Anglia Square shopping centre clearance for £300m scheme
2 days ago

13-year-old becomes UK’s youngest qualified digger driver

Grandson of Gallagher Group chairman sets industry record
2 days ago

Cubby reborn in £12m Svella-backed takeover

£50m revenue target set as 14 firms combine under new Cubby Group banner
2 days ago

North East NHS trusts plot £3bn health estate overhaul

Market engagement begins for major construction push across four trusts
2 days ago

HG goes green on cranes in £1.2m switch to battery power

Diesel-free crane drive cuts fuel bills by 94%
3 days ago

Developer fined £165,000 for fire safety failings

Firm ignored fire safety orders on apartment job in Preston
3 days ago

Bidding to start for £1.8bn North West framework

Contractors invited to bid for latest Procure Partnerships deal
3 days ago

Hill hits record £90m profit as homes pipeline swells

Build-to-rent push and £4.8bn contracting book to fuel next growth phase
3 days ago

Rayner unveils £39bn plan to build 300,000 social homes

Council building revival and rent reform feature in social and affordable homes plan
4 days ago

Keltbray bounces back with £3.2m profit

Tighter controls and smarter project selection fuel strong turnaround
4 days ago

VINCI JV wins 500-home twin town centre revamps

Chester Northgate phase 2 and Northwich Weaver Square schemes move to delivery stage
4 days ago

80 energy projects unlocked as Ofgem backs grid expansion

£24bn energy networks deal gets green light from regulator
4 days ago

How to see your stories on the Enquirer

Join our Suppliers and Buyers directory to get your news published
4 days ago

Henley lands Midland Mill revamp on Leeds tower scheme

Restoration of 18th-century mill kicks off on South Bank regeneration project
3 days ago

New boss at Eric Wright Civil Engineering

Gavin Hulme takes top job as Diane Bourne moves to group role
4 days ago

Pinewood submits £1bn data centre plan

Studio giant adds green and learning spaces to tech hub blueprint
5 days ago

Record results after TClarke goes private

Britain's biggest M&E contractor flourishes after de-listing
5 days ago

Dalkia lands £200m nuclear maintenance deal

1,000 nuclear FM staff to join M&E contractor
4 days ago

Construction comeback to outpace wider economy

Arcadis forecast fueled by spending review optimism
5 days ago

First steel goes up on giant car battery site

Severfield gets to work on McAlpine Somerset site
5 days ago

Permasteelisa wins cladding deal on Bovis city tower

Facade specialist lands package at 60 Gracechurch Street
4 days ago

Fox buys recycled asphalt specialist Fisher

Acquisition adds major recycled asphalt capacity in north west
5 days ago