Around 40 people joined a UNISON protest rally outside the construction site of the new £73million Aquatic Centre in Sandwell, West Midlands, being built for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The rally on Tuesday was called to highlight the “unnecessary and unjust” fire and rehire of all staff undertaken by Sandwell Leisure Trust, the organisation set to run the Aquatic Centre.
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 we call upon Sandwell Council to fix this dispute soon. A Labour-controlled council should not engage organisations that use fire and rehire to run its leisure centres.”
Support has come from two Labour councillors, who attended the protest, as well as other trade unionists. Lee Baron, regional secretary of Midlands TUC, addressed the event.
Sandwell Leisure Trust runs nine leisure centres for the council. Its three-year business plan is due for renewal.
