United Voice

Guards say the safety of Victorian courts is being dangerously undermined by low pay, as they prepare to vote on strike action to win fair wages and ensure the safety and protection of judges, star witnesses, legal staff and the public.

Earlier today, Fair Work Australia approved a ballot on industrial action by guards working for security contractor, G4S. Any strike is sure to disrupt the operation of County, Magistrates and other courts across the state.

“Guards have spent years watching the value of their wages collapse, and now many are close to the poverty line,” says Ben Redford, Assistant State Secretary of United Voice, the Security Union

“In the past decade, guards have become ever more responsible for public safety and protection in places like our courts, but their pay has remained stubbornly poor,” Redford says.

Guards at courts across Victoria are responsible for keeping the judges, prosecutors and victims of crime safe from an endless parade of vicious criminals, but poverty wages are forcing many experienced officers to leave this vital industry.

“Our courts are seeing an exodus of experienced security officers. We’re losing people with skills that are vital to ensuring our criminal justice system keeps functioning,” Redford says.

“That’s a grave worry because courts can be very dangerous places. They see murderers, gang members, terrorists and crime bosses,” he adds.

“And the people who protect our judges and star witnesses from these frightening elements of Victoria’s underbelly are our security guards. Each year they catch hundreds of people attempting to sneak knives and other weapons into our courts.”

“Court guards are saying they cannot afford to go backwards. That would force many experienced guards to find another job, which would leave our courts vulnerable.”

“They have repeatedly asked G4S to do the right thing and back fair pay. But the company has refused and that has left guards with little choice but to prepare for industrial action.”

“G4S says it cannot afford to pay guards fairly and still compete, but rival ISS Security has agreed to a four per cent annual pay rise — demolishing G4S’s argument.”

Guards working for G4S are responsible for security in Magistrates Courts like those at Broadmeadows, Frankston, Sunshine, Dandenong, Werribee, Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne CBD, as well as Moorabbin Law Courts, the Children’s Court and the Victorian County Court.

“We see a lot of dangerous people here and if it weren’t for good, experienced guards, all hell would break loose,” a Magistrates Court Guard said. “The innocent victims of crime, other witnesses, legal staff, court employees ¬— all would be at far greater risk without us.”

“You need to be skilled to spot the tricks people use to get knives past us. Obviously, with less experienced guards you’ll see knives getting through, and that means serious trouble.”

Guards representing 80 percent of Victoria’s security industry are calling on major employers to back the Safeguard 2011 Professional Code to professionalise their industry, which includes annual pay increases and a portable long-service leave program.

Further info:  Adam Cathro, United Voice, Media Officer, 0413 239 665