The workers originally won their case for unfair dismissal in July 2009. The case rested on the question of whether they were deemed self employed or employees.

The gang of workers was originally employed by Crowleys on a council contract in the London Borough of Islington.

In 2007, the contract was transferred to FM Conway. The workers successfully argued they were dismissed in September 2008 after raising concerns about attacks on their terms and conditions and being pressurised to work on a “self employed basis”.

FM Conway appealed against the decision, but last week the long legal battle ended with the Employment Appeal Tribunal dismissing the challenge.

The six workers will share a total of £46,210.24 plus interest.

Steve Cottingham, a partner at solicitors OH Parsons, who represented the workers at the original Employment Tribunal and at the Employment Appeal Tribunal, said: “I am very pleased that once again the tribunal system has found in favour of UCATT members, which brings this long running case to an end. Companies must learn that it is simply unacceptable to mistreat their workforce.”