Sandwell leisure centre staff to go on strike
Staff at gyms and swimming pools in Sandwell are to take to the picket lines next month – in a row over how wages and conditions are negotiated.
Hundreds of staff are expected to take part in two separate one-day strikes at nine council-owned leisure centres on November 7 and 27.
The industrial action follows the decision by Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT), which runs sports venues on behalf of the local authority, to withdraw from a national joint negotiation committee.
Announcing the strike, Tony Barnsley, secretary of Sandwell General Unison branch, said: “The action is against SLT’s proposal to dismiss and re-engage all staff, moving them away from national pay, terms and conditions negotiating body – the NJC.
“Unless this proposal is withdrawn, Unison members will take strike action alongside members of the GMB, which could see Leisure Centres shutdown across Sandwell.
“Unison urges both Sandwell Council and Sandwell Leisure Trust to do what they can to avoid a damaging dispute.
'Crisis'
Earlier this year, SLT said the national lockdown had a major impact on its income despite the council paying it £242,802 per month towards the service.
The one-day stoppages come after staff voted in September for industrial action.
A spokesman for Sandwell Leisure Trust, said: “Sandwell Leisure Trust is unable to comment at this time, the trust continues to hold active talks with Sandwell Council and Trade Unions in order to make the best use of any support available.”
But speaking before the vote was taken in September, chief executive Ash Rai attacked the use of industrial action saying: “SLT have been meeting and consulting with trade unions throughout and this ballot for industrial action is both irresponsible and inappropriate in light of the current financial crisis and the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the leisure industry.”
“The trust board have the legal responsibility to navigate SLT through this financial crisis and it is with this in mind that the removal from the NJC has been proposed as a measure in order that the board have total control over future pay and reward.”
Sandwell Leisure Trust runs Wednesbury Leisure Centre, Haden Hill Leisure Centre, Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre in Smethwick, Tipton Sports Academy, Langley Swimming Centre, Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury, Tipton Leisure Centre, and Smethwick Swimming Centre.
