TUC to raise union organisation at Sky with shareholders

The Trades Union Congress is to discuss BSkyB's attitude to trade unions in general, and the company's treatment of broadcasting union BECTU in particular, in the run-up to the company's AGM on November 14th. The TUC has also added its respected voice to the debate about the prospect of James Murdoch being 'parachuted' into the position of CEO to succeeed Tony Ball. See bectusky news story.

Some TUC affiliates have stakes in BSkyB through pension funds and are concerned about the prospect of father and son having too much control of the company.

The TUC is very concerned at the threat made to BSkyB staff earlier this year which attempted to warn staff off trade union membership and activity. The "advice" from then Group Head of Human Resources, Craig McCoy, in a letter to all staff was to "think carefully before signing any paper which puts job security at risk". At the time BECTU representatives at the company's headquarters at Osterley, West London, were circulating a petition to register the extent of staff support for a formal claim for trade union recognition.

On hearing of BSkyB's response to BECTU's legitimate campaigns on behalf of staff in Scotland and at Ostebrley, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber described the company's actions as "one of the worst cases of intimidation" he had come across since the Employment Relations Act granted staff the legal right to collective representation by their trade union.

BECTU has extended its thanks to the TUC for itsÝsupport for the right of Sky workers to choose to be represented by their trade union.