Union accepts pay deal
Workers at sports giant JJB voted to accept a pay offer from the company yesterday, calling off further strike action.

The GMB said its members at the firm's Wigan warehouse have agreed to a deal that will raise the basic rate for all workers at the depot to£6 an hour - from either£5.20 or£5.50. JJB staff will also have access to bonus payments, between 15 and 90 pence an hour, depending on the pace of work in the depot.

The union also demanded that the Employment Agencies Standard Inspectorate proceed with criminal charges against three Wigan agencies that illegally supplied staff during the strikes.

The three agencies - Head Recruitment, Bond Personnel and Lightyear Recruitment - could be facing fines of up to£5,000 a worker if they are found guilty of supplying replacement staff to JJB during the strike. The union claims that doing this has contravened the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations 2003.

GMB official Graham Coxon said: 'This has been a great victory for the will and fortitude of GMB members at JJB Sports, who have been on the minimum wage for far too long.

'Our members want to see EAS pressing criminal charges in the courts against the agencies who supplied JJB with agency labour during the dispute. GMB will also raise the question in parliament about how EAS does its job.'