Resignation after Sandwell Leisure Trust refuses £100,000 to avert strike
A senior councillor has resigned as it emerged Sandwell leisure bosses turned down £100,000 to avert a strike at the borough’s nine sports halls and swimming pools.
Councillor Peter Hughes quit the board of Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) this week – as union officials said they are furious the cash injection from the council was rejected.
The dispute over pay and conditions began in July when the trust said it would not increase wages by 2.75 per cent in line with a national agreement saying it would negotiate future pay rises separately.
Since then unions, council bosses and the trust have held a series of talks trying to avert one day strike action scheduled to begin on December 18.
Councillor Hughes praised staff for their work during the pandemic saying they are being used as pawns in a conflict between the council and the trust.
In his resignation letter, he said: “What I have witnessed over the past few months, however, is a fundamental breakdown in the relationship between SLT and the council, not helped by varying and inconsistent positions being taken by ‘key players’ within the council during these negotiations.
“This has resulted, unfortunately in the very staff, that we say deserve plaudits, being used as ‘pawns’ in the financial negotiations between the two sides.
“Invariably, this has led to trade unions taking the expected and necessary steps to protect their members. So, having been a member of Unison for 44 years, I feel that my position on the SLT board has now become untenable.”
His departure comes after a number sources said the trust rejected £100,000 to fund this year’s pay rise.
Tony Barnsley, a branch secretary for Unison, said the council wanted staff to remain within nationally agreed terms and conditions.
Conflict
He added: “We feel it is regrettable that the leisure trust has not accepted that offer and ended the dispute.
“Instead they seem to have deliberately chosen conflict which is why both Unison and GMB members are taking strike action on December 18.”
Council employees have already received a 2.75 per cent pay increase this year but leisure staff have had no rise and many were furloughed during Covid lockdowns.
Mr Barnsley said he hoped strike action could still be avoided: “Our formal request to the trust is accept the offer and let’s work together to secure the funds for the future.”
Sandwell Leisure Trust has confirmed it has been offered additional funding for staff salaries but declined to say whether it had refused.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “In discussions related to proposed changes, by SLT, to staff terms and conditions, the council offered to provide further funding for the remainder of 2020/21 to cover the shortfall of maintaining current terms and conditions for this year, whilst discussions are ongoing with the council regarding a longer-term solution.
“The trust board are committed to working in partnership with Sandwell Council whilst maintaining the excellent relationship that has been established over the years of successful operation to date.
“SLT wishes to thank Councillor Peter Hughes for his time and commitment on the SLT board, he has always conducted himself with integrity whilst supporting the best interests of SLT.”
