GMB wins fight to represent JJB Sports’ workers

A UNION which represents the interests of 358 workers at JJB Sports has won its battle to maintain recognition as the organisation which legally represents them.

JJB Sports’ management applied to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) for it to ‘derecognise’ GMB as the union representing the  employees earlier this summer

All of the staff are based at the company warehouse in Martland Mill, Wigan. 

GMB vigorously contested the company’s contention that the workforce did not want to be represented by the union.

The CAC has now found in favour of the GMB on all counts and it will continue to represent JJB Sport’s staff.

GMB is hailing the decision in its favour made by the CAC as “common sense”.

TheBusinessDesk.com understands that JJB Sports’ management proposed a pay increase to its warehouse workers earlier this year but this could not be implemented due to the fact that GMB did not have a shop steward in place.

JJB Sports is understood to have subsequently contacted the CAC to derecognise the union in order to get the pay increase “sorted out”.

A spokesman for JJB told TheBusinessDesk.com: “Following this decision of the CAC, the company hopes now to move forward.”

Eddie Gaudie, GMB regional officer for members at JJB Sports, said: “This decision by CAC is a common sense ruling which upholds the right of JJB Sports workers to be represented by GMB as the union of their choice.

“GMB contested the management claim that the JJB Sports workers did not want to be represented by GMB and presented evidence to the CAC that the claim was nonsense.

“GMB now call on JJB Sports management to get back into talks on the pay review for 2010 which are now overdue and put a pay offer on the table.

“Meanwhile GMB will hold elections to select new shop stewards to represent union members on day to day issues at JJB Sports.”