Fun at Toffee Park Adventure Playground, Old Street, in July

PLAY workers across Islington have launched a petition after being told they must take a 20 percent pay cut or lose their jobs.

Islington Play Association, which has operated free adventure playgrounds in the borough on behalf of Islington Council for 50 years, launched the internal process to reduce staff salaries shortly before the summer holidays and said it is tackling a budget shortfall of around £170,000.

But one Islington Play staffer – who wished to remain anonymous for fear of losing their job – told the Tribune that they would no longer be able to afford their rent if the salary cuts went ahead, and they would be forced to leave or find a night-job, such as delivering takeaways.

“Everybody’s mental health has been through the roof,” they said.

“I’ve been carrying people through it, they’re just scared. They don’t want to lose their jobs, they love the playground. It doesn’t have to be this way. We are creative people, we could have found another way, but there is no creativity in this.”

Another staff member at one of Islington Play’s six adventure sites – which include Crumbles Castle, Lumpy Hill and Martin Luther King Playground – has launched a petition against the pay cuts.

They said: “[The pay review] came out of the blue and the whole summer everyone has been under severe stress. It’s got to be out in the open. The importance of play really cannot be overstated. Playgrounds are the most important place for young people. They can feel safe, they have their own space, they can be creative – it’s a vital lifeline.”

Today (Friday) is the last day of the internal consultation.

Union representatives from UNISON have written to Islington councillors, urging them to intervene to prevent the pay cuts which they say essentially amount to the practice of fire and rehire.

Islington UNISON deputy branch secretary Mike Calvert said in his letter that there was concern the IPA management had told staff that if they did not sign new contracts by September 27 they would be issued with dismissal and reengagement notices.

His letter said it was an “anti-worker, anti-trade union practice”.

Labour councillor ­Tricia Clarke raised the issue at a full council meeting on Thursday, asking the council to call on IPA to extend the consultation period or step in to save workers’ jobs.

She said: “There’s a cost of living crisis and rents are high. Some playground workers have worked for 22 years and are doing amazing work in our communities with many children who get to be in a space where they have fun, play, grow and have opportunities to develop.”

It is not only staff who will suffer the impacts of pay cuts at Islington Play, but the families who use these services.

Mother-of-four Kate Reid, who regularly brings her 9-year-old, who has additional needs, to Crumbles Castle in Barnsbury, said that the playground was a “lifeline”.

“We’re overcrowded, so it’s important for her to have that space from her siblings,” she added.

“She’s got a really lovely relationship with the staff there – they’re teaching these kids social skills and teaching them safe boundaries. Some of them don’t get that at home.”

Ms Reid said that Crumbles is more than just a playground, it’s a “family” and a vital part of the community.

“The pay wasn’t great to begin with anyway and now they’ve got to take a 20 per cent cut,” she said

“They could probably get a job in Aldi that’s going to pay more. Now you’re going to have staff leaving, and less experienced people coming in.”

Speaking at last week’s council meeting, Islington’s children’s chief Labour councillor Michelline Safi-Ngongo said: “We are aware about the situation. Islington Play Association unfortunately is going through a difficult period at the moment.

“We are engaging with them at the leadership level to make sure they are doing the right thing for their own employees.”

She added: “IPA is an independent organisation. That means they have a legal duty for their own employees, even though we commission them. We urge every member of staff from IPA to carry on engaging through the consultation because their voices and concerns matter.”

Islington Play Association did not respond to the Tribune’s request for comment after phone calls and emails.

The petition is at: www.change.org/p/stop-the-pay-cut-at-islington-play-association