Labour Research December 2002

Union news

BSkyB accused of dirty tricks

Broadcasting union BECTU says BSkyB is conducting a "dirty tricks campaign" to avoid having to recognise the union.

It says that, days after the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) ordered a ballot on recognition at the company, managers at two Scottish call centres - Dunfermline and Livingston - urged staff to sign a petition calling for a union-free workplace. It says managers also issued verbal threats that the call centres would be moved abroad if the union won recognition.

However, the CAC formally upheld its decision to conduct a recognition ballot.