United Voice

Guards say the safety of Victorian courts, hospitals and Defence facilities could be dangerously undermined by low pay and worsening conditions, as they set a two-week deadline for employers to support fair pay before they file for industrial action.

Guards responsible for protecting vital community and military infrastructure are determined to defend their working conditions, which must be improved to prevent any more experienced officers from leaving this vital industry.

“These guards protect some of the most sensitive and dangerous places in the state,” says Jess Walsh, State Secretary of United Voice, the Security Union. “Yet many are already close to the poverty line, and cannot stay in this vital job unless wages improve.”

“For example, guards working at our courts protect us from an endless parade of vicious criminals, while hospitals can be a magnet for the dangerous and the deranged.”

“That’s why we need experienced guards to ensure safety.”

Guards at our most important Defence facilities are also warning that they will have to leave their jobs, leaving the protection of Australia’s weapons, Defence personnel and military secrets in the hands of inexperienced workers.

“Defence bases are prime terrorist targets as we saw when five people were arrested over a plot to storm Sydney’s Holsworthy Barracks and kill many of our Diggers,” Walsh says.

“So guards are not only on the front line of protecting our national security, but are key in the fight against terrorism. The fact is, we need our Diggers and they need our guards.”

Industry-wide pay talks broke down last night after three of Victoria’s largest security contractors, G4S, Wilson and MSS refused Union demands to back fair pay and to lock in key entitlements. Meanwhile a fourth contractor, ISS, has just agreed to annual pay rises of four percent.

“Because we depend so utterly on these guards, industrial action is likely to bring the state to a grinding halt,” Walsh says. “But guards are hoping G4S, Wilson and MSS will come to their senses and won’t make such public inconvenience necessary.”

“G4S, MSS and Wilson say they must cut entitlements to compete, but ISS, one of the state’s largest security contractors, demolishes their claims. The fact is, G4S, MSS and Wilson are putting profits before public safety by refusing to support fair pay,” Walsh says.

A recent report, Security Failure: Preventing Another 9/11, revealed a worsening crisis in the security industry, as more and more experienced guards are forced out of their jobs by low wages and a lack of respect.

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.

ISS is the first security contractor to sign on to the Safeguard 2011 Professional Code.

“Guards are thrilled that ISS has made a commitment to the professionalising of their essential industry, but now it’s time for other major security contractors to make the same commitment to professionalism and to public safety,” Walsh says. 

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