GMB members on strike today at JJB Sports warehouse in Wigan announced that there would be two further days of strike action at the warehouse next Wednesday 15th November and Thursday 16th November. The ongoing work to rule and overtime ban will continue. GMB members this morning also travelled to London to protest at the DTI at the lack of action to curb the strike breaking activities of 3 local employment agencies one of which is owned by millionaire ex Liverpool and Chelsea footballer David Speedie.
On Saturday 11th November at 11am GMB supported by No Sweat are staging protest demonstrations outside JJB stores in 10 cities - see details below. There will also be a yellow card protest by Wigan fans on the terraces at JJB Sports Stadium at 3pm before Wigan kick off against Charlton in the Premiership. In addition Billy Bragg has now been confirmed to appear in next month's Christmas "National Minimum Wage v the multi-millionaires" benefit party for the strikers to take place at a venue to be announced in Wigan.
The demonstations outside the shops will take place at 11am on Saturday11th as follows:
Birmingham - 11am
82 High Street
Birmingham B4 7TE
Brighton - 11am
145/147 Western Road
Brighton BN1 2DA
Bristol - 11am
89/97 Horsefair
Bristol BS1 3JR
Edinburgh
88 Princess Street
Edinburgh EH2 2ER
Leeds
Unit 1 Albion Arcade (JJB Sports entrace)
Albion Street
Leeds LS1 5ES
Leicester - 11am
Unit 4
Haymarket Towers
Humberstone Gate
Leicester LE1 1WA
London - 11am
8 The Broadway West
12 Shopping Centre
London W12 8PP
Manchester 58/66
Market Street
Manchester M1 1PW
Newcastle - 11am
1st Floor Monument Mall
Northumberland Mall
Nurthumberland Street
Newcastle NE17
York - 3pm
Unit 1
1-5 Davygate
York YO1 8QR
Paul McCarthy GMB Regional Secretary said, "GMB members are determined to get a better basic rate and access to an achievable bonus for all when they work hard. They will continue this action until they get the deal they were offered by the CEO - and which was scuppered by Dave Whelan - back on the table. A small fraction of the £3m Mr Whelan got when he sold shares in JJB this week would settle this dispute.
GMB is determined that the illegal strikebreaking activities of the 3 local employment agencies are stopped and that the agencies are punished for breaking the law. We will not rest until EAS takes action.
GMB is calling on trades union members across the country to demonstrate in favour of National Minimum Wage workers v the multi-millionairesat their local JJB Sports Stores.
GMB have also pledged to raise funds for the strikers so that they can fight for the deal they and their families deserve. We are grateful to Billy Bragg for showing a lead on this."
