Thousands of construction workers have been left "in limbo" over whether their site will be closed for the Queen's funeral bank holiday and, if closed, whether they will receive an additional day’s paid holiday, according to construction union Unite.

The union said that due to the "failure" of the employer representatives on the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC), many workers may be forced to work on the bank holiday.

It comes after organisations across the civil engineering industry paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, who died last week aged 96.

However on Wednesday the employers' side of the CIJC refused to agree the trade union proposal that an additional day’s bank holiday be agreed in respect of the Queen.

In a statement the employers said: "In practice, with the short notice of the bank holiday, its affect, and the great variety of operational work/numerous work locations planned for next Monday, there will be operatives required to work and others not required to work.

“Taking all relevant factors that apply into account, it will be for each business/employer to determine how they will view the day, and whether time off, paid or unpaid, will be given.”

Unite said it has received an email from a major joint venture company on HS2 indicating that they do not require their contractors to pay workers holiday pay on the day of the Queen's funeral unless additional bank holidays, such as the Jubilee, are covered in their agreements.

The decision not to honour the bank holiday marks a significant departure for the CIJC, Unite said, as previously the organisation has honoured all additional bank holidays.

The union added that the decision is at odds with almost all other construction industry agreements. For example the NAECI agreement (mechanical engineering) and both parts of the Joint Industry Board agreement (electricians and plumbing) have agreed to honour the additional paid public holiday.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Following pressure from Unite, workers on major construction projects such as Hinkley Point and the Silvertown Tunnel are being paid for the bank holiday for the Queen’s funeral. These employers have taken the correct decision. It is to say the least inexcusable that the CIJC has not followed suit.”

Unite national officer for construction Jerry Swain added: “The CIJC has abdicated its responsibility and left thousands of construction workers in limbo, not knowing if they are required to work or if they will be paid. This is a hugely disrespectful act to the Queen and the Royal Family. These CIJC employers federations have brought shame on the construction sector disrespected the Royal Family and ignored the mood of the nation.

“The cost of paying a worker an additional bank holiday equates to just seven minutes pay for every year that the Queen loyally served our country, it is peanuts for these construction employers. The construction trade federations and their members should be hanging their collective heads in shame. The federations now need to take a long hard look at who they have representing them. It is clear they need to appoint representatives who have a grasp of what is taking place rather than simply sending messengers who have failed the industry and the nation.”

The employers’ side of the CIJC is made up of individuals chosen by various construction trade federations including Build UK, which represent major contractors, the Home Builders Federation, Painting and Decorating Association, Scottish Building Federation, National Federation of Roofing Contractors, National Access & Scaffolding Confederation and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association.

The CIJC said that guidance on how employers may choose to approach time off and payment for this additional bank holiday has been issued by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

The information includes the statement that "there is no statutory entitlement for time off for bank holidays" but adds that "we also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work".

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