A SCAB union for journalists is to be reported to the Geneva-based International Labour Organisation (ILO) after signing a “sweetheart” deal with the bosses of an international television station.

The British Association of Journalists (BAJ) is being reported to the United Nations agency after signing the deal with Iran International, which is based in this country. 

Most of the station’s editorial staff are members of the TUC-affiliated National Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Labour peer Lord John Hendy QC, a leading expert in employment law, is to lodge a complaint with the ILO on behalf of the NUJ against the union-busting deal.

The BAJ had clinched the deal despite having no members at the TV station until one manager joined, according to the NUJ.

The union has been campaigning for recognition from Iran International’s bosses and has received reports of staff coming under pressure to join the non-TUC-affiliated BAJ.

As an affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists, the NUJ has lobbied the international community, via the UN, in support of press freedom and to put pressure on the Iranian state to stop intimidating journalists.

A letter sent by the NUJ chapel asked the BAJ to withdraw its agreement, saying: “As a chapel of minority ethnic workers, our voice has been completely taken away from us by an organisation that pretends to stand up for workers.”