BSkyB puts 'cyberblock' on union

Staff at BSkyB are claiming that their employer has blocked access to a website run by BECTU.
The new website provided by broadcasting union BECTU - www.bectusky.org.uk - was launched in June. But after union officials visited Sky's base in Osterley this month to publicise the site, staff found they could no longer access it from work. Several checks have been run by the site's operators to establish that there is no fault at the site end.
BECTU official Sharon Elliott has written to Sky's new Group Director of Human Resources Marie-Helene Ferguson asking for confirmation of the company's actions in relation to the bectusky site and to BECTU's principal site - www.bectu.org.uk - access to which is also blocked. Ms Ferguson has yet to explain the company's position; additional enquiries from BECTU representatives at the base have also met with silence.
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 company is in danger of making themselves look ridiculous."
(GB)