Union site hit by "cyberblock"

Broadcasting union BECTU has accused broadcaster BSkyB of blocking staff access to its web site from company computers.

The problem emerged when union officials visited Sky's base in Osterley, west London, in July to publicise the launch of a new web site, www.bectusky.org.uk. Access to the main BECTU was also said to have been blocked.

A BskyB spokesperson told Labour Research last month that the BECTU web site was now accessible from Sky PCs "regardless of content available". However, they would not confirm that this had been the case at the time that BECTU made its original complaint. They would only add that from time to time the company "may restrict access to certain sites if excessive usage is deemed likely".

BECTU official Sharon Elliott said: "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 launch of the "bectusky" website was seen as a sign of the union's continuing commitment to organising and serving Sky staff, following a failed recognition ballot at BskyB's subscriber services call centre in Livingston (Labour Research June).

The site carries information tackling bullying and harassment, advice on employment rights and union campaigns.