GMB strike action back on
Workers at sports giant JJB will launch a tirade of protests across the UK, in response to what the GMB describes as an 'unprecedented level of victimisation' by the retailer.

The protests will be staged outside JJB Sports shops starting this Sunday, then at Wigan football club's match against Chelsea, their away game at Old Trafford and at the Wigan v Blackburn match on January 1.

The GMB also revealed there will be further strike action at sports giant JJB for the second time in as many months.

This action follows a meeting between JJB chief executive Tom Knight and union representatives, in which Knight refused to implement an agreement signed two weeks previously, according to the GMB.

The agreement included a no-victimisation clause and stated that all grievances associated with the dispute would be withdrawn.

The GMB claims JJB Sports founder Dave Whelan met with one of the Wigan warehouse managers, Steve Rigby, and subsequently GMB shop steward Chris Reilly was fired.

Whelan has emphatically rejected claims by the GMB that the store group has reneged on a deal to end a warehouse workers' dispute. He told Retail Week: 'The management at JJB Sports has not gone back on a deal with the GMB workers.'

He added: 'With regard to the dismissal of shop steward Chris Riley, I was not involved in the disciplinary process and the decision to dismiss Mr Riley was made after fair procedures had been followed.'

According to JJB, the employee was dismissed for 'gross misconduct'. An appeal has been made and the retailer will hear the appeal within the next 14 days.