Football fans to back JJB workers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/6138688.stm

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Football fans were planning to support workers involved in a dispute at JJB Sports by holding up yellow cards at the start of a Premiership match.

The protest, being held at Wigan's JJB Stadium before the game with Charlton, coincides with demonstrations outside JJB stores across the UK.

Workers staged a third 24-hour walkout at the firm's warehouse in Wigan, Greater Manchester, on Thursday.

The industrial action is over pay and conditions at the warehouse.

Striking fans

Members of the GMB Union are also planning to walk out next Wednesday and Thursday and are continuing with a work-to-rule and overtime ban.

Regional officer Paul McCarthy said: "GMB members are determined to get a better basic rate and access to an achievable bonus for all when they work hard."

Protests were planned outside stores in cities including Birmingham, Brighton, Leeds, York, Leicester, Edinburgh, Bristol, London, Manchester and Newcastle on Saturday.

Some of the workers involved in the dispute are Wigan Athletic football supporters and want other fans to join in their stadium protest.

JJB Sports has about 430 shops in the UK and its executive director is David Whelan, owner of Wigan Athletic and its ground, the JJB stadium.