Leisure centres, a swimming pool and a park in the Selby district could be affected by strike action after our members rejected a below inflation pay offer.
Our members, employed by Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, who operate the leisure services contract on behalf of Selby District Council have been offered a pay increase for 2022/23 of between 4% and 6%. This comes after a three-year pay freeze and at a time when the cost of living is rising at the fastest rate for 40 years.
If UNISON members vote in favour of strike action it will disrupt services at the Selby Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool, Tadcaster Leisure Centre and Selby Park.
Commenting on the strike ballot, our branch secretary, Wendy Nichols said:
“Our members working for IHL in Selby and Tadcaster are delivering excellent local services to residents and visitors on behalf of the Council.
During Covid they remained loyal to IHL and Selby District Council, despite having their pay cut by 20%. IHL have offered a below-inflation pay rise for 2022/23, despite our members not having had a pay rise since 2019.
On two occasions our members have comprehensively rejected this offer. They want, and deserve, a fair and reasonable pay offer that recognises their loyalty and hard work, and that reflects the current cost of living crisis.
We have deliberately not set an expectation of what a fair and reasonable offer would look like, but our members have told IHL twice that they do not think the current offer is fair and reasonable. It is not too late for IHL to come back with a better offer.
We know that the leisure sector is struggling post-Covid, but so are our members. We want IHL, Selby District Council and the new North Yorkshire Council to work together to ensure our members are not left behind.”
The strike ballot opens on Thursday 2 March, and closes at 10am on Thursday 23 March. The result will be announced soon after, and strikes could be planned around Easter.
