Fighting ‘culture of fear’

Last night (April 27) hundreds of thousands of viewers watched Channel 4’s Dispatches programme, The secrets of Sports Direct, which exposed a zero hours contract workforce in constant fear of losing their jobs – with staff named and shamed over a tannoy for not working fast enough.

In response, Unite announced today (April 28) that it was launching a confidential advice and support line – as part of a campaign to confront abusive ‘Victorian’ work practices at Sports Direct and a culture of fear at the retailer’s Shirebrook warehouse in Derbyshire.

It’s estimated that only 300 out of the 5,000 plus workers at the Shirebrook depot actually have contracts with Sports Direct, with the majority on zero hour contracts with two employment agencies – Best Connection and Transline.

Victorian era throw back

Commenting, Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner said: “Like a throw-back to the Victorian era, workers on zero hours contracts at Sports Direct’s Shirebrook site are being shamefully exploited and living in daily fear of losing their job.

“Mike Ashley and Sport Direct’s shameful business model which is built on low pay and exploitative zero hours contracts, where workers are treated with contempt, has no place on the high streets of 21^st century Britain.

“Shoppers at Sports Direct need to remember this when they buy a cheap tee-shirt or pair of trainers.”

According to the programme, the draconian working conditions are underpinned by a ‘six strikes and you’re out’ disciplinary procedure. Workers can get strikes for long toilet breaks, excessive chatting and even having time off for sickness.

“Too often workers at the Shirebrook depot and across the retailer’s stores have been afraid to speak out,” added Steve.

“This culture of fear in Sports Direct needs to be confronted and the abusive workplace practices tackled.”

Unite’s confidential Unite hotline allows workers to get advice and support on workplace abuses at Sports Direct.

“We would urge workers at Sports Direct to not suffer in silence, to join Unite’s campaign for decent work, to get in touch via the confidential number and together we can put dignity back into the workplace,” said Steve.

 

*Sports Direct Shirebrook worker needing help and advice? Call 0333 323 1441

To view Dispatches: The secrets of Sports Direct

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/on-demand/57108-007