United Voice

In this issue:

1. Here we go: security bargaining 2011 begins

2. Our vision for a professional security industry

3. Professional standards: unprofessional wages

4. Timeline to win a professional security industry

5. Your bargaining team

6. It's time to get on board

7. How can I get more involved?

Here we go: security bargaining 2011 begins

On 19 April 2011 your Security Union negotiation team met with reps from ISS Security, Wilson Security, MSS Security and G4S Security to outline our vision for a new enterprise agreement for the Victorian security industry.

Members from many security sites across all four contractors sat down at this first meeting, and explained the key improvements we need to ensure we have a strong, professional security industry into the future.

Your employers didn’t say much in response to our proposals, but agreed to take them away and analyse them, and respond formally in the next meeting, to be held on 11 May 2011.

Your bargaining representatives explained to the bosses that security work has changed dramatically.

These days, we have more responsibility than ever before – we’re on the frontline when it comes to the security of multi-million dollar assets, key infrastructure, and the personal well-being of the people we keep safe.
And while this advancement has gone on, the wages and conditions of security officers continues to fall behind.

Our vision for a strong, professional security industry is the answer to these problems.

Solid pay increases, improvements to things like overtime and job security, and a transferable long-service leave entitlement will properly reward security officers and keep professionals in the industry.

Our vision for a professional security industry

1. Recognition for delegates and the Security Union
2. Increases to pay and allowances – 5% each year over the next three years
3. Transferable long service leave entitlements
4. Improved overtime rules
5. Safeguard against unfair transfer
6. Improved disciplinary procedures
7. Casuals' rights to convert to permanent employment
8. Paid training
9. A commitment to preventing bullying and harassment
10. Maintenance of all our current conditions

Professional standards: unprofessional wages

When the twin towers collapsed in New York ten years ago, the world changed.

From that point on, security became the number one priority for governments, businesses and the general community.

Since that tragedy, security officers have had to shoulder more and more responsibility for the security of people and property.

We are on the front line, and the first response when it comes to major threats and incidents.
And we’re now expected to deploy many other skills too – from high level customer service to the use of sophisticated technology.

But our wages have only just stayed in front of increases in the cost of living.

Meanwhile, average weekly earnings have leapt even further ahead of our wages.

This means that while our wages are growing, in recent years, they are growing at a rate that is much slower than the growth in average weekly earnings.

This means we fall further and further behind.

The solution is fair pay increases and improvements to other key entitlements. This will help us ensure our professional work is properly valued over the next few years.

Timeline to win a professional security industry

Your bargaining team

On 19 April 2011 your Security Union bargaining team met with reps from ISS, Wilson, MSS and G4S for the first time.

The next meeting is on 11 May 2011.

The following bargaining representatives are from all companies across many work-sites. And they were present at the meeting, representing all Security Union members:

G4S

Cheryl Hawke –
Broadmeadows Magistrates Court
Alex Karakostov –
AXA Building, 8 Nicholson Street (DS&E)
Keith Calder –
Moorabbin Law Courts
Ray Aarons –
Victorian County Court
Ella Heathcote -
Victorian County Court

MSS

Geoff Hovenden –
BAE Systems
Andrew Lewer –
Cabrini Hospital
Deng Riak – DHS Kensington
George Papanastasiou –
GE Money
Shane Bennetto –
GHM Fishermans Bend
Rob Moodie –
Mobil Altona
Mark Halse –
80 Collins Street

Wilson

Royce Jensen –
AMP 45 Collins Street
Alex Saitov –
DHS Collingwood
Hussan Adan –
DHS Elgin Street
Surya Nagulapalli –
DHS Fitzroy
Wei Zhang –
Juvenile Justice Centre
Robert Drummond –
DIGO Fortuna Bendigo
Bronco Mihevc –
HMAS Cerburus
Paul Amey -
Juvenile Justice Centre
Luke Raymond –
Melbourne Central Tower
Geoff Duddy –
Melbourne University
Brian Lynch –
Treasury Reserve
Stewart Holt –
Telstra Clayton
Trish Molloy –
Wilson Defence Plaza
Beau Stockton –
Julliard Contract

ISS

Warren Hill –
CBW Building, 181 William Street
Dave Arthur –
NAB East Melbourne
Luisa Viggiani –
NGVA
Dave Cooper –
NGVI
Robert Bryant –
NGVI
Patrick Mullen –
NGVA
David Logie –
Urban Workshop, 50
Lonsdale Street
John Sands –
Suncorp Building 447 Collins Street
Zahid Obobasic –
Telstra 242 Exhibition Street
Jason Scott –
Supreme Court

“We said to the companies: without us there would be no you. With our level of skill and dedication we deserve professional pay and conditions.” Luisa Viggiani – ISS, NGVA (pictured)

It's time to get on board

This year marks the biggest enterprise bargaining campaign ever embarked upon by Australian security officers.

It’s also our best chance to safeguard professional security jobs into the future.

But to win this campaign, we need a strong, powerful Union. So now is the time to get on board.

If you’re not in the union, join the thousands of other guards who today are standing together to make a difference in our industry.

If you are in the union, register today to join our leadership group and receive ongoing reports on the progress of our campaign.

email securitystatewideEBA@unitedvoice.org.au or call 03 9235 7777

How can I get more involved?

1. Talk to your workmates about the EBA
2. Make sure everyone at your site has the opportunity to show their support by becoming a member of our union
3. Register as a member of our reference group — keep your site up to date with all the latest information and have a say in the direction of the campaign!