Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre: Staff slam lockdown ‘insult’
It’s estimated to have $2bn in assets and its boss is a high profile rich lister. Yet swimming centre staff have been left struggling to make ends meet according to a union.
Inner West
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A union is calling on a multimillion dollar leisure group to pay staff who are struggling to make ends meet during the Covid lockdown.
The United Workers Union has said Belgravia Leisure has stood entire workforces down at aquatic centres during the enforced lockdown.
This includes the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre in Marrickville from which a petition has emerged.
The Inner West Council facility is managed by Belgravia Leisure - having been outsourced to the private company.
The Belgravia empire boasts an estimated $2 billion in assets and its founder is a high-profile rich lister.
The Inner West Courier has been told staff – casuals, part timers and permanent employees – were informed of the decision last week when Sydney was plunged into lockdown.
Staff who had any annual leave were reportedly told to use it up during the two weeks and directed to a Federal Government scheme allowing them to apply for about $300.
One staff member, who spoke anonymously, said workers at council-run facilities have been given other duties to do over the next fortnight in a bid to keep paying them.
They said workers at Annette Kellerman were emailed about the decision and directed to counselling services for help.
“The main issue is everyone is suffering,” they said.
“I just thought the pay is already quite low, I’m fortunate to have money saved so I’m okay for rent but we’re fearing the lockdown could be extended so there is no certainty beyond that.”
Belgravia was contacted for comment but did not respond to a series of questions.
The company claimed to have had a turnover of $140 million in 2018 and its chief executive is Geoff Lord, who appeared on the country’s top 200 rich list last year with a personal fortune of more than $500 million.
The United Workers Union said the company’s response has not been good enough.
“Permanent workers are being forced to dip into leave entitlements and casual workers are facing dire financial circumstances,” the union said.
“The United Workers Union is demanding full pay for regular hours of work for all workers at the centre for the duration of lockdown. A public petition has been released by the union demanding management meet with employees to discuss the provision of paid pandemic leave.”
Inner West Council confirmed it was keeping all but its casual aquatic centre employees paid during the lockdown.
“Inner West Council is not standing down council staff. Staff members are continuing with appropriate duties during the closure of the aquatic centres. Casual staff are not able to attend work however will be rostered back onto shifts when the centres re-open,” a spokeswoman said.
“Council acknowledges that Belgravia Leisure has successfully operated (Annette Kellerman) for many years and is an experienced operator in this sector.
“Council looks forward to resuming control of (Annette Kellerman) and Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre in July 2022.”
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