BSkyB puts cyberblock on union
Staff at BSkyB are claiming that their employer has blocked access to a website run by BECTU.
The new website provided by broadcasting union BECTU - www.bectusky.org.uk - was launched in June. But after union officials visited Sky's base in Osterley this month to publicise the site, staff found they could no longer access it from work. Several checks have been run by the site's operators to establish that there is no fault at the site end.
BECTU official Sharon Elliott has written to Sky's new Group Director of Human Resources Marie-Helene Ferguson asking for confirmation of the company's actions in relation to the bectusky site and to BECTU's principal site - www.bectu.org.uk - access to which is also blocked. Ms Ferguson has yet to explain the company's position; additional enquiries from BECTU representatives at the base have also met with silence.
"It is astonishing that any broadcaster - let alone a mature operator such as Sky - is apparently prepared to resort to such actions. The company's business is communication and yet they apparently see fit to deny their staff access to a legitimate site. The company is in danger of making themselves look ridiculous." commented Sharon Elliott.
The launch of the website is a sign of the union's continuing commitment to organising and serving Sky staff across the country. In February this year a formal ballot for recognition on behalf of the company's Sales operation in Livingston, Scotland was defeated.
The company's behaviour in the run up to the ballot - subjecting staff to intimidation, acting outside of agreed access arrangements together with a major attack on a union activist - was widely criticised. The case has been cited in submissions made by the TUC and BECTU to the current review of the Employment Relations Act 1999 which first established the right to statutory trade union recognition.
When the ballot result was declared on 4 February 2003 the company decided to write to all its staff warning them off trade union organisation and threatening them with business closure in the event of mass support; this hugely controversial letter led to the departure of then Group Head of Human Resources Craig McCoy.
Sky's Computer Policy grants staff some licence to use the system for personal use: "A small amount of personal use is permissible as long as it is not excessive and does not interfere with normal business activity" the policy says.
"This latest development is another example of the company's hostility to trade union organisation; worse still it shows the company's disrespect for its staff. Sky staff should be free to access legitimate and responsible sites of their choice. As with the ballot, once again it appears that Sky is trying to muzzle their staff denying them freedom of expression." commented Sharon Elliott.
For more information on the Sky campaign or to input your views email [email protected]