Unions in sport: more than breakaway groups

1eagu3 was formed in January 2012 to represent the rights and interests of Super League players in England.  Spearheaded by England captain Jamie Peacock and St Helen’s forward Jon Wilkin, 1eagu3 has been branded a “breakaway group” by the GMB, the UK’s biggest trade union.  GMB, who according to their website, has over 610,000 members working across every part of the UK economy, has criticised those behind the formation of the new union of creating an elitist organisation.  Claiming to already represent over 800 rugby league players, the GMB says that this splinter group will not have the resources or expertise to properly cater for its members’ interests.