A decision by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) to cut 35 full-time jobs across Cardiff leisure services will damage people’s access to sports centres and the quality of service provided, UNISON Cymru Wales has said.
Emma Garson, UNISON Cardiff County branch secretary said,
“Everyone appreciates how leisure services have been affected by the pandemic but that doesn’t mean local people have given up on their sports centres and swimming pools.
“Perhaps more than ever, Cardiff residents will need quality leisure services as they emerge from Coronavirus lockdown for the good of their mental and physical health.
“Staff are devastated, they love their jobs and what they provide to the local community.
“When leisure services were privatised in 2016, UNISON warned they would no longer be run principally for the public good. We said without the council’s democratic control, local people would be denied a say in how leisure centres are operated.
“It’s essential Cardiff doesn’t fail a whole generation of children and local communities by worsening their access to leisure centres. UNISON has called on the council to urgently intervene and guarantee funding to safeguard jobs and ensure service quality is not reduced for local people.”
UNISON recognises the tremendous support Welsh government has provided councils during this pandemic, amounting to an additional half a billion pounds of funding and it is essential councils are able to access and channel some of these resources to support our vital leisure services.
Contact:
Alastair Gittins, UNISON Cymru Wales press officer on 07816 53 83 97