UNITE has won a significant legal victory for Carillion workers to receive compensation after a court rejected the construction and outsourcing giant’s appeal.

The union is representing 263 members who are seeking compensation due to the firm’s failure to inform and consult them before they lost their jobs when it collapsed into compulsory liquidation in January 2018. The firm remains a legal entity despite being in liquidation.

The employment appeal tribunal has ruled that the case can proceed, dismissing Carillion’s appeal that there were “special circumstances” into why no protective awards could be made to the workers.

Unite assistant general secretary for legal affairs Howard Beckett said: “This was a vitally important case not just for the former Carillion workers but all workers who lose their jobs without warning in the future.

“Unite made a commitment when Carillion collapsed to do everything possible to protect our members who lost their jobs without warning through no fault of their own.

“Three-and-a-half years later we are still fighting for our members to receive the compensation they deserve.”