PLANS to disrupt services at various leisure centres in Sandwell will be set to go ahead this week.

Workers at Portway Lifestyle Centre and Tipton Leisure Centre, who are members of UNISON will walk out on Friday (January 28) over a continuing dispute over “fire and rehire” tactics used by their employer Sandwell Leisure Trust.

It is the fifth disruption over the matter after workers took part in similar strikes – most recently last month (December 14).

Strikes have also taken place in April, June, August last year.

If the strikes are set to go ahead, it will be the longest industrial dispute in Sandwell borough’s history.

Staff represented by the union voted overwhelmingly to continue their fight against the “fire and rehire” tactics used by their employer Sandwell Leisure Trust.

Tony Barnsley, UNISON Sandwell branch secretary, said: “Staff are being fired and rehired against their will and they’re determined to continue their fight against this.

“The trust has £3.5 million in the bank so they can’t justify this as a necessary cost-cutting exercise.

“UNISON, along with other unions, also opposes irresponsible management proposals to include Covid-related absences in sickness targets and absence-management monitoring.

“The danger is that staff are so concerned about running up sick days, they may continue going to work when they should be at home isolating.

“The workers have made it clear they are determined to continue their action and unless the matter is resolved, could mean disruption to this summer’s Commonwealth Games.”

Christina McAnea, UNISON general secretary, said: “This is no way to treat employees. Sandwell council must step in to sort out this dispute once and for all and ensure staff are treated properly.”

Unison has urged the authority to help settle the dispute ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, threatening the “embarrassment of strikes” during the Games.

The council has commissioned Sandwell Leisure Trust to run a new £73 million aquatics centre in Smethwick, which will be used for the first time at the event.

Councillor Danny Millard (Labour, Blackheath), cabinet member for culture and tourism said: “I hope that both parties can come to the table and end their disagreements.

“It’s as I said in the last strikes, it is hard for us as a council as we are unable to influence how Sandwell Leisure Trust pay their staff.

“The National Joint Council determines pay and other terms of conditions for workers in local government and schools. They are on a contract with us, and the contract, to my understanding, did not include information related to pay, as Sandwell Leisure Trust are not part of the National Joint Council.”

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

“As many businesses have needed to do, the Trust took prudent measures to manage increased costs with fixed pay awards for a two year period with no other changes to terms and conditions made or proposed.

“Sandwell Leisure Trust, like many other organisations, is having to navigate its way out of the worst crisis to hit the leisure industry in our lifetime. We continue to consult with trade unions on how we can effectively manage Covid related absences, support our staff, and manage any impact it may have on services to our customers.” 

The spokesperson for Sandwell Leisure Trust claimed UNISON “already lost” its earlier mandate for strike action, with the most recent ballot result only affecting two centres. 

They also told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the number of employees taking part in the industrial action was 6.3 per cent of the total workforce.

The spokesperson added: “No proposals have been made or agreed and it is inaccurate for trade unions to claim otherwise when in fact the Trust is actually consulting with them on how to best manage Covid related absence transparently and in good faith.

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