Over 600 JD Sports Workers Protest Against Shorter Breaks and Longer Shifts

  • Over 600 employees at JD Sports protest against break reductions
  • Employees signed up to a grievance against the company’s proposals
  • Number of breaks during 12-hour shifts reduced from three to two
  • Overall break time remains the same, but workers face longer shifts
  • Mike Aylward, divisional officer at Usdaw, criticizes the treatment of workers

Over 600 employees at footwear retailer JD Sports are protesting against the company’s proposals to reduce the number of breaks during 12-hour shifts at its distribution center in Rochdale. The changes have reduced breaks from three to two, although the overall time provided for breaks has remained the same. Mike Aylward, divisional officer at Usdaw, expressed concern over the treatment of workers, stating that more companies are treating employees like disposable assets with little consultation when making changes to work patterns. He added that people are working from 6 pm until 6 am with just two breaks and that recently arrived migrant workers are often affected. Usdaw believes such practices belong in 1819, not 2019.

Factuality Level: 7
Factuality Justification: The article provides relevant information about the grievance raised by employees at JD Sports and quotes from a representative of Usdaw. However, it could provide more context on the company’s reasoning behind the change in break policy and a response from JD Sports.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about workers’ concerns regarding changes to break times at a distribution center and quotes from a union representative, but it could benefit from more details on the specific impacts of these changes and potential solutions.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: JD Sports
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses labor practices and employee grievances at the company, which could potentially impact its reputation and future operations, affecting its financial performance.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: No extreme event mentioned in the article.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk