United Voice News
'It's a hell of a win' says guard
Victorian members at major security contractors MSS and G4S have won pay parity with members at Wilson and ISS.
The wins came after huge campaigns that included hundreds of demonstrations and threats of strike action.
Members at all four contractors have now won wages $2100 a year above the Award, rising to $3500 extra next year. They have also all won delegate rights, increased allowances and simpler leave procedures.
"It feels great. It’s a hell of a win," MSS delegate Bruce Adams said.
"We’ve come a huge way. We didn’t get just a couple of things: we got pretty much everything that we went for."
"I think management realised in the end we’ve got more clout than they thought we had," fellow MSS delegate Geoff Hovenden said.
"The important thing was that we weren’t divided, we all stood strong, and we need to continue to do that in two years, when we do it again."
G4S delegate Ray Aarons said members also are proud of their win.
"After a year and a half, it feels great. Management tried to pressure us to break ranks but everyone hung in there. It’s a great win."
"We united and refused to give in."
G4S members also won back Award conditions ripped away under the Howard government’s unfair IR laws.
"We now have a lot more rights than on our AWAs."
In May delegates at our annual Delegates Convention rallied in support of G4S members and shut down the County Court.
Ray said the support from other members was crucial.
"It gave us a lot of heart. It showed us you don’t just stand by yourself. You have a lot of members behind you."
Ray said winning better pay is a great relief for G4S members.
"It will be a lot easier for me to clear some of my debts now."
