Sky's aggressive, isolationist approach can also be seen in
the context of its unique industrial relations record. Its attitude
to trade unions was seen graphically when BECTU attempted to use
the law to gain statutory recognition for groups of workers there.
The company simply threatened to close down any site that voted
for recognition.
So in reality, it would not take much to show a greater
willingness to cooperate with the rest of the industry.
"BSkyB is still regarded by the industry as loners who only
join industry initiatives if they have to. They are usually the
last to come on board", commented one observer. Sky is on
the board of the industryís sector skills council, Skillset. But
"getting Sky to sign up to the manner in which the industry's
moving regarding the training levy is a very good illustration
of how different Sky is from the thinking of the rest of the industry,"
commented BECTU General Secretary Roger Bolton. "So far,
their profile hasn't changed in any noticeable way. But this canít
be a hopeless case. Letís hope that the only reason James Murdoch
hasn't got round to it yet is that he is so burdened with taking
charge of the company."
The above article was published in the March issue of Stage,
Screen and Radio (the magazine for BECTU members)
