Sporting goods firm JJB Sports has failed in its attempts to de-recognise the GMB workers’ union, after talks for a staff pay increase reached a standstill.

It follows a failed application by JJB to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) to end bargaining arrangements with the union, which represents 103 of 358 employees at JJB’s warehouse in Martland Mill, Wigan.

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The warehouse staff have not yet benefited from a company-wide pay rise implemented six months ago, because it has not yet been agreed with the union.

However, GBM told just-style that JJB had used the matter to dispose of the union, which could stand in the way of new shift patterns. “JJB has used this opportunity to put a claim with the CAC to try to derecognise the union, which we have fought successfully.”

JJB told just-style it was forced to apply for de-recognition of the GMB because it did not appoint a shop steward or enter negotiations about the pay rise.

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JJB said in an emailed statement: “JJB is not opposed to the presence of the union per se but the GMB has prevented non-member warehouse colleagues from receiving a pay settlement when over 7,000 other colleagues across the company received a pay increase in February 2010.”

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However, GMB said that talks on the pay review for 2010 are now “overdue”, and urged JJB’s management put a pay offer on the table.

Eddie Gaudie, GMB regional officer for members at JJB Sports, said: “This decision by CAC is a common sense ruling which upholds the right of JJB Sports workers to be represented by GMB as the union of their choice. GMB contested the management claim that the JJB Sports workers did not want to be represented by GMB and presented evidence to the CAC that the claim was nonsense.”

GMB added that it will now hold elections to select new shop stewards at JJB.

JJB added: “The only thing we are encouraged by is that our application to the CAC – and its subsequent decision – has prompted a response from the GMB and we hope further progress can be made.”