In response to your editorial (8 June), article by Felicity Lawrence (8 June) and letters (9 June), it is important to note the role that Unite has played (often downplayed by the media) in raising the issue of working practices and pay at Sports Direct. In April last year the union launched a confidential advice and support line as part of a campaign to confront abusive work practices and a culture of fear at the retailer’s Shirebrook warehouse. This was followed by a national campaign early this year in 30 cities, collecting 20,000 signatures on a petition. However, as pointed out by Unite, companies like Sports Direct are often difficult to challenge because of the Conservative government’s anti-trade union laws which makes workplace representation extremely difficult. As a result, employment rights legislation means little because there is no one to make sure that the basic standards are upheld.
Dr David Etherington
Principal researcher, Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research, Middlesex University
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