Tower Hamlets Staff Strike Over Unsafe Leisure Jobs 2026

Key Points

• Staff at Tower Hamlets Council’s leisure centres are balloting for strikes over working conditions, organised by the Unite union, whose members include lifeguards.
• Unite claims staff have faced “unsafe working practices” since the council took leisure services back in-house in May 2024.
• Previously, leisure centres were operated by private company Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL); GLL staff transferred to council employment.
• Zero-hour contract workers were promised council terms and conditions, but Unite says “the majority of workers remain without secure contracts,” with large groups like swim teachers and fitness instructors having no contracts at all.
• Unite highlights “grave concerns about public and staff safety,” including “dangerously understaffed sites,” “inadequate supervision,” “excessive hours,” and workers pushed into high-risk roles without proper training or support.
• Last year, the council closed or cancelled several swimming sessions after losing access to agency workers.
• Unite sent a letter on January 28 to Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman and chief executive Stephen Halsey, announcing a ballot for industrial action, including strikes, ending February 25.
• Council states it has “worked closely with staff and trade unions to ensure fair and improved terms and conditions.”
• In December, council told Local Democracy Reporting Service all casual and full-time staff offered contracts; now says permanent contracts offered to casuals where possible, majority on permanent deals, but process delayed by Unite dispute.

Tower Hamlets (East London Times) February 19, 2026 – Staff at Tower Hamlets Council’s leisure centres are balloting for strike action amid claims of unsafe working practices and insecure contracts following the in-house transfer of services last year. The Unite union, representing lifeguards and other workers, has raised serious safety concerns and notified council leaders of an industrial action ballot closing on February 25. A council spokesperson countered that it has collaborated with unions to improve terms, offering permanent contracts to most staff despite ongoing disputes.

Why Are Leisure Centre Staff Considering Strike Action?

As reported in the original coverage by MyLondon, staff at Tower Hamlets Council’s leisure centres are balloting for strikes over working conditions. The Unite union, whose members include lifeguards, says staff have faced “unsafe working practices” since the council took its leisure service back in-house. This ballot, understood to include strikes, was formally announced in a letter sent on January 28 to mayor Lutfur Rahman and chief executive Stephen Halsey, with the voting period set to end on February 25.

The core grievances centre on contract security and safety. Unite officials claim in their letter that “the majority of workers remain without secure contracts,” specifying that “large groups – including swim teachers and fitness instructors – still have no contracts at all.” This follows the transfer of GLL staff to council terms, where zero-hour workers were told they would receive stable employment, yet many remain in limbo.

Safety issues form a significant part of Unite’s accusations. The letter states that members have “raised grave concerns about public and staff safety,” detailing “dangerously understaffed sites,” “inadequate supervision,” “excessive hours,” and “workers being pushed into high-risk roles without proper training or support.” These problems reportedly worsened after the council temporarily lost access to a staffing agency, leading to closures or cancellations of several swimming sessions last year.

What Changes Occurred When Leisure Services Returned In-House?

Tower Hamlets Council brought its leisure services back under direct control in May 2024, ending a contract with Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL). As per MyLondon’s reporting, GLL staff were transferred into council employment, with those on zero-hour contracts informed they would move to council terms and conditions. This shift aimed to enhance local oversight but has sparked disputes over implementation.

Unite’s letter to the council underscores failures in this transition. It claims zero-hour staff faced “dangerously understaffed sites and excessive hours,” amplifying safety risks. The union’s push for industrial action reflects broader frustrations, with the ballot targeting all affected members across centres.

How Has the Council Responded to the Strike Threat?

A council spokesperson told MyLondon that the town hall has “worked closely with staff and trade unions to ensure fair and improved terms and conditions.” In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service in December, the council said all casual and full-time staff had been offered contracts under its terms.

Updating this position, the council now asserts it has offered permanent contracts to casual workers “wherever possible.” It claims a majority of staff are on permanent council contracts, attributing delays to the ongoing dispute with Unite. This response aims to reassure the public amid fears of disruptions to leisure facilities.

What Specific Safety Concerns Have Been Raised?

Unite’s letter, as quoted by MyLondon, elaborates on safety lapses:

“Our members also raised grave concerns about public and staff safety, with dangerously understaffed sites, inadequate supervision, excessive hours, and workers being pushed into high-risk roles without proper training or support.”

These issues allegedly persisted post-agency worker loss, forcing session cancellations.

Lifeguards and instructors, key Unite members, report being overstretched. The union argues this endangers both staff and public, particularly in water-based activities where supervision is critical. No specific incidents of harm are detailed, but the claims underscore systemic understaffing.

Who Are the Key Figures Involved in This Dispute?

Mayor Lutfur Rahman and chief executive Stephen Halsey received Unite’s January 28 letter directly, placing them at the dispute’s helm. Unite officials, unnamed in the coverage, authored the communication threatening ballots. The council spokesperson remains anonymous in statements, per standard protocol.

GLL, the former operator, features peripherally as staff transferred from its zero-hour arrangements. The Local Democracy Reporting Service, a specialist outlet, first heard the council’s December assurances, highlighting inter-media collaboration in local governance stories.

When Did the Leisure Services Transfer Happen and What Followed?

The in-house takeover occurred in May 2024, per MyLondon. Post-transfer, promised contract stabilisations faltered, leading to Unite’s claims. Agency worker access issues last year triggered immediate session disruptions, feeding into broader safety alarms.

The January 28 letter marks escalation, with the February 25 ballot deadline looming. This timeline aligns with union procedures under UK industrial relations law, allowing formal action if supported.

Will Strikes Definitely Happen and What Impact Could They Have?

The ballot, ending February 25, determines strike feasibility; it is “understood this includes strikes,” as MyLondon notes. A yes vote would enable action, potentially closing pools and gyms, affecting residents’ fitness routines.

Council efforts to offer permanency suggest mitigation attempts. However, Unite’s persistence indicates unresolved tensions, with public safety at stake. Similar disputes elsewhere have led to short walkouts, disrupting services without resolution.

What Is the History of Leisure Management in Tower Hamlets?

Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) managed centres pre-May 2024, a common outsourcing model. The council’s decision to insource aimed at better control and conditions, yet implementation snags persist. Zero-hour legacies from GLL exacerbate issues, as transferred staff seek security.

Unite’s involvement signals organised labour’s role in public services. Past in-housing elsewhere has mixed results, with some improvements but frequent teething problems like staffing.

How Does This Fit Broader East London Industrial Trends?

Tower Hamlets’ dispute mirrors regional tensions, though specifics are local. East London councils face budget pressures post-2024 insourcing waves, amplifying staff-union frictions. Unite’s activism spans boroughs, often targeting safety in care and leisure sectors.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service’s role underscores scrutiny on council finances and worker rights. Public reaction may hinge on service continuity, with residents balancing sympathy for staff against access needs.

What Next Steps Are Expected After the Ballot?

Post-February 25, Unite will tally results. A strike mandate requires 50% turnout and majority yes, per law. Negotiations could avert action, given council overtures.

Monitoring centres for further cancellations is advised. Mayor Rahman and Halsey may engage directly, as letter recipients. Resolution timelines remain unclear, but urgency prevails to safeguard operations.