Union leaders 'faced resistance' from Sky over call centre talks

A UNION says it has faced 'significant resistance' from media giant Sky to engage with its leaders over hundreds of job losses in Stockport.

- BY PAUL BRITTON

The mayor of Greater Manchester, meanwhile, has described Sky's announcement as a 'serious blow to Stockport and Greater Manchester'. Andy Burnham said he 'stands with' the union's call to 'treat its workers with the respect and dignity they deserve'.

Sky confirmed in March the closure of its base in Stockport under plans to close three out of 10 of its UK call centres, with closures elsewhere hitting Leeds and Sheffield.

It's understood that some 545 jobs are expected to be lost in Stockport, with around 2,000 jobs at risk in total across the company, which is owned by US firm Comcast.

Union CWU Manchester Combined revealed its calls are being backed by Mr Burnham and Stockport MP Navendu Mishra.

But in a statement, it said that despite 'repeated efforts, the union's leaders have 'faced significant resistance from Sky in engaging meaningfully around alternatives to compulsory redundancies.

"This lack of cooperation makes it even harder to support and advocate for members during what is already an incredibly stressful and uncertain time," added the union.