Unite, the UK’s leading union, has secured a significant pay victory on behalf of workers employed by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) on the outsourced Lewisham leisure contract.

Long running dispute

The long running dispute concerned problems regarding unpaid wages which occurred as a result of the workers going through several TUPE transfers.

Unite’s members had overwhelmingly voted for industrial action last autumn but the union held off announcing strikes to allow talks to resolve the problems to take place.

GLL has agreed to settle the outstanding pay claims, establish a process to avoid such problems in the future and it will also encourage its workers to join Unite, the recognised union.

Important victory

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a really important victory for our members who have at last secured pay justice at Greenwich Leisure Limited. 

“This deal demonstrated what can be achieved by workers standing together and underlines Unite’s absolute commitment to defending the jobs, pay and conditions of its members.”

Collective action

Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: “This shows what can be achieved through collective action. We are delighted that, going forward in Lewisham, Unite will be working with GLL to strengthen procedures to ensure staff queries are dealt with swiftly and fairly.

“Unite urges all leisure centre staff, not just in Lewisham, to join the union, so that similar problems can be tackled effectively.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Lewisham leisure workers vote for strike action at Greenwich Leisure Limited over back pay owed

 During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

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Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.