News
Local Council Leisure Centres
06/01/2012
You will be aware that local councils across Northern Ireland provide a range of leisure services to the public.
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Dear Colleague
You will be aware that local councils across Northern Ireland provide a range of leisure services to the public. These services are important components of local community infrastructure and provision and many of the staff in leisure centres are members of NIPSA.
While leisure centres charge for the use of their services they are also funded by public money. The pay and terms and conditions of staff employed in most leisure centres are determined by negotiations with trade unions, including NIPSA and trade unions are recognised for the purposes of collective bargaining.
While NIPSA does from time to time have issues with local councils in terms of staffing matters in leisure centres it is important that these public facilities are supported by local communities.
Across Northern Ireland over the last number of years there has been an increase in the number of private companies providing leisure facilities which are in competition with local and public sector provision. Also, regrettably some councils have or are in the process of outsourcing the running of leisure services.
The purpose of this bulletin is to encourage as many members and their families as possible to support the local council run leisure services when deciding whether to use publicly provided leisure provision or a private sector company providing the facility.
Yours sincerely
BRIAN CAMPFIELD
General Secretary
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