FORMER mineworkers in County Durham are paying among the highest level of union deductions in the country from compensation payments.

The National Union of Mineworkers Durham Area takes up to 7.5 per cent from successful damages claims in return for the union's assistance.

Unions provide legal assistance through chosen solicitors for lung disease and vibration white finger (VWF) common law claims.

Deductions are also taken to meet general union running costs and in case of any future possible court litigation on behalf of members.

A survey by The Northern Echo has revealed wide discrepancies in the level of deductions being made by 11 NUM areas in England and Wales which can run up to thousands of pounds.

In some areas nothing at all is taken from compensation awards, while in others a flat fee is asked for, or a percentage at most of between three and five per cent taken.

Chris Jackson, 86, of Ferryhill, County Durham, worked at Mainsforth and Vane Tempest collieries and retired through ill health.

Durham Area NUM claimed more than £1,000 from a successful lung disease and VWF claim.

Mr Jackson was required to sign up to an associate membership scheme which deducted the money so he could receive help with his claim.

He said: "The NUM says it will take a small deduction, but 7.5 per cent adds up to a lot of money."

The associate membership scheme costs £20 a year. It is aimed at former pitmen who wish to maintain links with the union and provides advice on issues such as medical appeals and industrial tribunals.

Mr Jackson asked trade union watchdog the Certification Office to see if the membership scheme breached union rules.

Ron Dobson, senior complaints case manager with the office, confirmed it had asked Durham area officials to "clarify aspects of its affairs" in relation to the scheme, but no irregularities were found.

Les Kelly, general secretary of the NUM North Wales Area, said it only asked for a "voluntary administration fee" from members. He said: "Every area runs its own business, but here, if people don't want to pay, they don't."

NUM Durham Area literature says 7.5 per cent is taken out of the first £13,333 of compensation that former miners signing up to its membership schemes receive.

It claims that the rundown in contributing membership because of the demise of the coalfields is stretching its ability to finance services for members to the limit.

Graham Capper, a spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry, which is coordinating the coal health compensation schemes, said the deduction from awards was a matter for the mining unions.

He added: "Ministers have commented in the past that they can see no justification for anything but a nominal fee being taken by the unions."

The NUM Durham area was contacted by The Northern Echo. President David Guy was unavailable for comment