The controversial social enterprise Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is back in the spotlight after workers at Bromley libraries voted for a campaign of industrial action.

The workers are fighting against a race to the bottom in local government by campaigning for better pay and an end to zero hours. The workers in Bromley voted for strike action by a margin of 86 per cent and Unite representatives will be meeting in the coming week to agree strike dates. GLL have a window of opportunity to avoid strike action.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The workers in Bromley are gearing up for a campaign to fight low pay and the injustice of zero hours. Unite is right behind them, their union is backing them all the way.”

GLL are a social enterprise and claim to be a “staff owned organisation”. GLL won’t recognise trade unions and it refuses to negotiate on pay.

GLL elect people onto a staff representative board called a ‘society’ that makes the decisions. But only permanent staff can have full ‘society’ status. Out of 10,800 staff, 6,313 are on zero-hour contracts.

Unite national lead officer, Onay Kasab said: “The workers on zero hour contracts are treated like second class citizens and our members in Bromley have had enough.

“Insecure hours and low pay is bad enough. But GLL excludes zero hour workers from key parts of the very process which the company claims makes it a staff led organisation.

“Despite claiming to be staff owned most workers can’t seek election or attend and vote at the AGM. The company states it is owned by staff and is committed to making the world a better place to live in. Yet it fails the first test by failing to recognise or negotiate with a trade union.”