SANDWELL leisure centre staff have been on strike this week outside the new £73million aquatic centre in Sandwell, over its "unnecessary and unjust fire and rehire" tactics.

Around 40 people joined the Unison protest rally on Tuesday (June 22) outside the new aquatic centre being built off Londonderry Lane for the 2022 Commonwealth games.

Another strike is planned for tomorrow (Friday June 25).

Union bosses said Sandwell Leisure Trust workers such as swimming instructors, lifeguards and receptionists have been told if they do not accept the new agreements, which will affect pay, their jobs could be at risk.

The trust runs nine centres across the borough for Sandwell Council, including Haden Hill Leisure Centre in Cradley Heath.

Unison released a statement saying: "The protest rally was called to highlight the unnecessary and unjust fire and rehire of all staff undertaken by the organisation set to run the new aquatic centre, Sandwell Leisure Trust."

Tony Barnsley, Branch Secretary for Sandwell Unison said: "Forcing staff to move away from national pay, terms and conditions is totally unjustifiable when a new £73million centre is being built and Sandwell Leisure Trust has £millions in the bank.

"Unison members will be striking again on Friday 25 June and Unison calls upon the Labour council to fix this dispute soon.

"Sandwell Labour controlled council should not engage organisations that use fire and rehire to run its leisure centres."

The union said it had received messages of support from leisure centres users with Sonia Wilkins sending an email to Sandwell Leisure Trust which said: "Fire and rehire is an absolute disgrace.

"I support all those going on strike and won't be using SLT services until staff are treated with the upmost respect they deserve.

"I would rather swim in the Tipton canal than use SLT services at the moment."

A spokesperson for Sandwell Leisure Trust said: "The pandemic has had a significant impact on the leisure industry and the recovery from this will take some time and is uncertain.

"As many business have needed to do, the Trust has taken prudent measures to manage increased costs with fixed pay awards for two years, no other changes to terms and conditions have been made.

"Only one trade union actually received a mandate to strike by their members and those agreeing to strike only represent 16 per cent of the total workforce, only seven per cent of these actually took part in the last strike day.

"New contracts have been issued and accepted by all staff, SLT is committed to protecting the jobs of its workforce both now and in the future by managing its increased costs to ensure its ongoing sustainability."

A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: “This is a matter for SLT to resolve with their employees, however we will continue to work with our partners at SLT and hope that they can work with their employees and the trade union to resolve these matters quickly without disruption to our residents.”