Costain has scrapped a digital payment method on the Crossrail scheme after workers were not being paid for all the hours they worked.

Employees previously used a fingerprint recognition scheme in order to receive payment for working on the multi-billion pound infrastructure project.

However, the Costain-led ATC consortium has now appointed a human timekeeper to replace the system due to its failure.

Jerry Swain, UCATT Regional Secretary for London and the South East, said the change is a victory for the union.

"Costain have caved into pressure from UCATT and been forced to admit their fingerprint recognition system was scamming workers of their wages," he said.


"But that is only half the story. Costain have been shamefully provocative, aggressive and intimidatory, given that all the worker grievances we raised were entirely legitimate."

UCATT has claimed its officials have suffered harassment and intimidation by Costain ATC security and employees, including the videoing of union officials outside the sites and delivery drivers threatening to "mow them down."

Union members on the site had previously complained about a series of working issues, such as not being paid properly, toilet facilities being a two-mile walk away and inadequate canteen facilities.

Mr Swain added: "When our officials raise real and serious issues with a contractor working on a massive public-funded project, we don't expect to be videoed in the street or threatened to be mown down by lorries. Costain need to get with the programme, solve these issues and engage with UCATT in a civilised manner."

(LM/CD)