Representing employees of BSkyB, with new, features and advice on legal issues in the workplace.
Technical staff in Studios at Osterley have been voicing their concerns over the projected introduction of an electronic rostering system for the department.
Technical staff in Studios at Osterley have been voicing their concerns over the projected introduction of an electronic rostering system for the department. Sky has finally acknowledged employees' frustrations with the Sky Achievers performance pay system by introducing a new set of rules.
Latest News
BECTU is concerned at the possible destabilising effect of current speculation over the replacement for current BSkyB CEO Tony Ball. We share some of the city's reservations but are primarily concerned that management should be working to deliver improvements to staff welfare on the back of the company's recently posted ?260 million profits.
While Tony Ball will leave so much to do to improve the quality of staff/management communications and working conditions – he is a former trade union activist himself - he has proved to be a stabilising influence for the company.
BECTU has always sought to work together with BskyB to improve staff conditions at work and the union hopes that changes at the helm will bring new opportunities in this area.
"Having a man, with Rupert Murdoch's blood running through his veins, steering the company, is quite a daunting prospect" said BECTU representative Miche?l Mac Suibhne.
BECTU's Assistant General Secretary Gerry Morrissey added " There is no question that Tony Ball has delivered for shareholders and has met and exceeded targets for the company's performance. Sky staff have been central to that success. However the reality is that they – and many of them are BECTU members – do not believe that they have shared in that success nor that sufficient attention been paid to improving working conditions. We hope that Tony Ball's successor will recognise the need for change and will take advantage of new European and domestic legislation to work with BECTU for the good of staff and the company."
Miche?l went on to say "The trade press claims that Tony has made ?32 million during his 4 years at Sky. If just 10% of that was invested in staff development then the company's overall performance, including in the area of health and safety would be much improved. Sadly, fat cattery and nepotism seem to be the stories of current interest rather than the day to day problems raised by the people on the 'factory floor".
Latest news headlines
Computerised Rostering sparks concern
Technical staff in Studios at Osterley have been voicing their concerns over the projected introduction of an electronic rostering system for the department.
Achievers becomes Performers as Sky listens to staff
Sky has finally acknowledged employees' frustrations with the Sky Achievers performance pay system by introducing a new set of rules.
STUC backs Call Centres in Scotland
The Scottish Trades Union Congress is working to strengthen the commitment of call centre employers to Scotland in the face of continuing debate about the transfer of call centre jobs abroad.
Sky staff change the law on unfair labour practices
The experience of BECTU members at Sky could change the law on union recognition for the better.
Will Sky's charm offensive be limited to its shareholders?
During the charm offensive with shareholders over James Murdoch's appointment as chief executive of BSkyB, Rupert Murdochís son suggested that he would like to move the company away from its go-it-alone mentality and into the mainstream "community" of the British broadcasting industry. Four months into his tenure, has anything in fact changed?
Industrial relations
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.
48-Hour Opt Out Under Review
The long overdue review of the UK's opt-out from the 48-hour cap on working hours is underway led by the European Commission.
Get in training, get active
BECTU's training programme for 2004 is encouraging more BECTU members to train to support their colleagues at work.
Shift allowance causes concern at Osterley
BECTU welcomes the fact that staff working in Engineering Department at Osterley, who work to a regular, predefined pattern of hours, have been awarded a substantial allowance recently, to compensate them for the anti-social nature of their roster.
Sky Staff call for action on stress and bullying
Workplace stress, bullying an a harassment, top the list of Sky staff concerns according to a recent survey. Call centre staff, engineers and colleagues in Osterley are united in calling for more effective management of these issues to minimise their incidence in the workplace in the interests of staff wellbeing and performance.
Message to Members from the HSE
The pre-planned visit of a H.M. Inspector of Health & Safety to Sky's Osterley premises took place as expected on Thursday, 30th October. A tour of several units on the large site highlighted some of the areas of concern already raised by BECTU.
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.
Communications Bill
The Communications Bill introduces major reforms into the regulation of the broadcasting and telecommunications industries and has been a focus for lobbying by BECTU and other media unions.
Bectusky responds to speculation about new CEO
BECTU is concerned at the possible destabilising effect of current speculation over the replacement for current BSkyB CEO Tony Ball.
Sky Osterley to receive safety visit - but not until they're ready!
BECTU representatives were astonished to hear that a recent visit by a Health and Safety Executive inspector to the Osterley site had not involved a safety inspection chiefly because the safety managers were new!
bectusky.org.uk launches The Feature
In August 2009 the website launches The Feature, special pages which give a more in-depth view of issues important to you. Bullying at Work and Freelance Holiday Entitlement get the ball rolling. Click here to access.Law Courses