STAFF at five leisure centres in Croydon are to strike on July 10 in a row over pay.
Lifeguards, fitness instructors and receptionists voted in favour of the walkout on June 13 and a date has now been finalised.
Fusion Lifestyle runs the Waddon, Purley, Thornton Heath, New Addington and South Norwood leisure centres for the council.
The strike follows to a dispute over pay, including accusations that Fusion has not passed on increased funding to staff. One pay offer has been rejected.
Union Unite was open to further discussions but has been told that Fusion's negotiators are away in July so talks cannot resume until August.
In response, a notice will be issued today informing the company that staff will engage in a one-day strike in July.
Onay Kasab, Unite's regional officer, said: "We have waited long enough for pay fairness at Fusion. The response from Unite is that we will take strike action on July 10.
"Leisure companies such as Fusion take contracts with no intention of treating staff fairly - instead it's about cutting costs so that they can continue to make buiness from the privatisation of public services.
"Leisure companies now need to heed the warning - our campaign for fairness has started."
Fusion has yet to respond to the notice, but has previously stated that leisure centres would remain open in the event of a strike.
