We all know, or should know, that the "zero hours" contracts are a direct road to deprivation and an employers dream. Some firms are just dipping their toes in, while others are grasping the opportunity with both sweaty, greedy hands. Sports Direct is in there with both hands milking the con with gusto. This firm employs 90% of its staff on "zero hours" contracts. There employees are onto, no job security, no guarantee income, no ability to plan their week. They are there at the whim of the boss, business is slow, just go home and I'll phone when I need you, is the way the game is played. This type of contract has to be stopped and stores like Sports Direct have to feel the anger of the people by boycott and picket. The only way they will abandon this unjust means of employing people will be if it hurts their pocket.
In the meantime 38 Degrees, are backing a court case against Sports Direct being taken out by an ex-employee. and are asking for your support:
Can you chip in just £1 to help fund the case against Sports Direct?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/the-people-vs-sports-direct
It’s the people vs Sports Direct. Companies abusing zero hours contracts have been all over the news this week. The stories started after it was revealed that Sports Direct employ 90% of their staff on contracts with no guaranteed hours week to week, no holiday pay or sick pay. [1]
Today 38 Degrees member Zahera, an ex-employee of Sports Direct, is taking them to court to challenge their use of the controversial contracts. If she wins, it will send out shockwaves to all companies abusing these contracts. And it will put pressure on the government to tighten up the law and protect vulnerable employees.
Can you chip in just £1 to help fund the case against Sports Direct?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/the-people-vs-sports-direct
Elizabeth George, a lawyer at law firm Leigh Day, has offered to represent Zahera and will only receive a fee if we win the case. But there will still be costs involved. If Sports Direct decide to fight, it could cost over £10,000 to go to court, much more than Zahera could afford on her own.
But if enough of us chip in just £1 each to raise the money, it will send a powerful message to Sports Direct and their billionaire owner, who will have deep pockets to fund their legal team. They'll see that they are heading to court to face not just one ex-employee standing up for her colleagues’ rights, but an army of 38 Degrees members too.
Can you chip in £1 and back Zahera against Sports Direct?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/the-people-vs-sports-direct
38 Degrees members have already sent over 120,000 emails to Sports Direct demanding they treat their staff properly and give them the option of fairer contracts. [2] They have so far refused to comment, hoping the story will go away. But by taking them to court we’ll force them to.
Zero hours contracts are already being investigated by the government. But our action could set a legal precedent for all businesses, not just Sports Direct, and will put the government under pressure to act fast. [3]
We know that people powered legal cases can win. Last week, we celebrated after beating Health Minister Jeremy Hunt in court. [4] 38 Degrees members donated £15,000 to the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign’s case against his plans to close their local hospital. It was a huge win in the fight to save our NHS and made headlines across the country.
Now let’s use our collective power to take on Sports Direct and strike a victory not just for Zahera, but for people on zero hours contracts across the country.
Can you chip in £1 to help fund the case against Sports Direct?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/the-people-vs-sports-direct
Thanks for standing with Zahera
Robin, Belinda, Megan, Blanche & the 38 Degrees Team
FURTHER INFORMATION
Why could it cost so much?
To issue the claim, Zahera is required to pay an issue fee of £250. There is a further fee if the claim goes all the way to a full hearing of £900. Law firm Leigh Day are representing Zahera on a no-win no fee basis, so there is no cost here. However Elizabeth will be bringing a co-counsel to fight the case with her. We anticipate the cost to be in the region of £10,000 plus VAT for the hearing.
If for some reason the case doesn’t go ahead we would offer a refund.
What happens if we raise more than is needed to fight the case?
Any donations made above the amount needed to fight the case will go towards 38 Degrees' campaigning work, including pushing the government to tighten up the law around zero hours contracts. For more details of our donations policy click here: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/pages/donations-to-38-degrees
Are all zero hours contracts bad?
Many people would like to see zero hours contracts banned outright, but for some employees, zero hours contracts are a useful flexible way of working. However, the news has been filled with stories of companies abusing these contracts to bully staff. This case could be a landmark moment in the fight to stop this abuse.
NOTES:
[1] Sports Direct: 90% of staff on zero-hour contracts - http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jul/28/sports-direct-staff-zero-hour-contracts
[2] Email Sports Direct - https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/sports-direct-stop-unfair-zero-hour-contracts
[3] They won't be lovin' it: McDonald's admits 90% of employees are on zero-hours contracts without guaranteed work or a stable income - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/they-wont-be-lovin-it-mcdonalds-admits-90-of-employees-are-on-zerohours-contracts-without-guaranteed-work-or-a-stable-income-8747986.html
[4] Save Lewisham Hospital campaign in the papers - http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/tag/save-lewisham-hospital/
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