Sports Direct targeted by Unite protesters over zero-hour contracts

Sports Direct is expected to face a tirade of protests at its annual general meeting which will be held later today.

The retailer has endured an intense backlash as of late for its controversial use of zero-hour worker contracts in its UK stores.

As the meeting will take place in Sports Direct’s HQ in Derbyshire, which will be attended by billionaire founder Mike Ashley and other key figures, members of Unite will form a protest outside the building and target an additional 40 outlets throughout the UK.

In addition, Ashley, Sports Direct chairman Keith Hellawell and the rest of the board are also expected to face strong opposition from shareholders including the Trade Union Share Owners group, over employees’ pay.

Sports direct employs around 20,000 shop floor staff on zero-hour contracts, which automatically excludes them from the retailer’s bonus scheme that senior managers benefit from.

Later today, Unite demonstrators will dress as Dickensian workers to call for a stop to what they call “Victorian-era conditions” across all Sports Direct stores.

Luke Primarolo, Unite regional officer, said: “Low-paid agency workers on zero hours contracts are being subjected to working conditions that are more akin to a Dickensian workhouse than a FTSE 100 company’s warehouse.”

“These Victorian era conditions combined with Sports Direct’s rampant use of zero hours contracts across its stores, only adds to the charge that Keith Hellawell and the board are running Sports Direct like a ‘backstreet outfit’.

“With question marks over corporate governance and dire employment practices, we would urge shareholders to join Unite and the Trade Union Share Owners group in sending a message to the board by opposing the re-election of Keith Hellawell.”

However, even if the majority shareholders vote against Mr Hellawell, Mike Ashley could still reject their re-election by using his 55% stake in the retailer.

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