Scots politicians briefed on Sky

Councillors and MPs from across Fife are meeting to hear about a BSkyB threat to local jobs.

During a recent ballot on union recognition, management at company call centres in Livingston and Fife threatened to move operations overseas if staff voted to let BECTU into their workplace.

Members also reported other threats and intimidation to the union during the ballot, in which staff which eventually voted against union recognition.

The vote had been ordered by the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) under new legislation which guarantees unions the right to represent staff if more than 40% of the workforce supports recognition.

Throughout the long lead-up to the ballot accusations and counter-accusations flew between the union and the company, and the threat to close jobs was thought to have had a significant effect on staff in an area of high unemployment.

At the meeting with local politicians, union representatives are hoping to increase the pressure on BSkyB to allow its Scottish staff to be represented by the union.

The meeting takes place at 5.30 on Thursday April 24 at Business Learning & Conference Centre, Lauder College Campus, Halbeath, Dunfermline.