IN PICTURES and VIDEO: Sandwell Council chiefs pledge to protect pensions of leisure centre staff
Council chiefs have pledged to protect the pensions of leisure centre staff in a Black Country borough in the wake of concerns from workers over its future with the authority.
The future of Sandwell Leisure Trust continuing to run services in Sandwell was plunged into doubt after it emerged the trust had yet to agree new business terms with the council.
With Sandwell Council looking to save £38million by 2018, they have re-entered talks with the trust to lower costs.
A petition of over 5,000 signatures was handed in to Sandwell Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper before Wednesday's cabinet meeting, with around 40 SLT employees, GMB and Unison representatives lobbying prior to the meeting, with concerns over the future of staff pensions and the potential threat of the leisure service being privatised.
But Councillor Cooper said the council had a 'responsibility' to ensure the future of its employees and employees at 'arm's length', and during his time as leader had always had a 'good relationship' with the leisure trust.
He said: "I do feel the joint trade unions involved have jumped the gun on this matter. I would like to stress staff pensions and terms will be protected and it needs to be made very clear that negotiations are still ongoing between ourselves and the SLT.
"The terms being proposed by the SLT at this stage have not been accepted, and we will continue to negotiate with them to hopefully reach an agreement.
"We've invested heavily in leisure centres in the borough, and it is our duty that we get value for money on behalf of the council."
The trust has been maintaining nine leisure centres and a golf course for an annual fee from Sandwell Council for the last 12 years.
Sarah James, Equality Officer at GMB said: "They are stating that the council have had to make cuts so they believe the SLT should also. The Trust has put forward a plan which cuts the subsidy by 75 per cent and we are under no illusion that difficult talks will need to be had if a plan is agreed, however if an alternative provider can run the service at a zero subsidy.
"We are disappointed that Councillor Cooper believes the joint trade unions are 'jumping the gun' over the concerns of our members.
"Whilst we welcome his statement that pensions and terms and conditions will be protected, we have major concerns how this can be achieved by an alternative provider meeting the targets of the council on a zero subsidy. We believe the council cannot guarantee to protect terms and conditions as they are not the employer. However we recognise that councillors do sit on the board. We hope that the council and SLT will exhaust every avenue to reach a business plan agreeable to both parties."
