Act Security Launch Campaign To Fix Security Industry - Tomorrow

Security officers launch campaign to bring ACT's security industry up to scratch 12.30 pm Saturday 24 October at Kambah Woolshed

Security officers will tomorrow launch a campaign to reform Canberra's ailing security industry. On top of the list are pushing shonky operators out of the industry and fair pay and entitlements, including portable long service leave.

"Security officers put themselves in harm's way every day to protect us for very little reward," says Lyndal Ryan, ACT Secretary of LHMU - the security union.

"The $15.34 per hour basic pay rate doesn't come anywhere near compensating security officers for the danger, stress, unsociable working hours, poor job security and lack of portable long service leave. Security officers are first on the scene when something goes wrong. Our lives are often literally in their hands as, for example, when people have heart attacks in office buildings or shopping centres.

"It's ironic that government and business entrust our safety and property to an industry riddled with shonky operators and 'colourful business identities'. It's certainly in the community's interest to keep them out of the ACT, but that can't happen unless the Government tightens master licensing laws.

"To bring the security up to scratch in the employer stakes the industry needs to get rid of the complicated and inconsistent conditions which currently exist and replace them with a new Industry Collective Agreement, as well as changes to legislation," says Lyndal Ryan.

Security officers want eight major reforms: a living wage with no reduction in penalty rates; predictable and regular work hours; best practice OH&S standards; a new classification structure; a review of industry allowances; restriction of Master Licences to ethical employers; improved employee rights training for new officers; and portable long service leave.

Warren Sutton, a security officer for over 20 years, says " I am really excited about the possibility of achieving portable long service leave. Also one set of wages and conditions across the ACT would mean we would know what we should be getting paid no matter who we work for."

John Rogers, National Operations Manager of Wilson Security, says "Wilson's Security is happy to support measures that work to stamp out unethical behaviour in the security industry. Contractors who abide by the law are frequently disadvantaged in the market place by dodgy competitors. A large part of the union's agenda is directed at stamping out unethical behaviour and restoring a level playing field and we support that outcome."

"Fixing up the mess that is the security industry won't be easy but we know it can be done because our members have won similar reforms in the cleaning industry with the Clean Start fair deal for cleaners campaign," says Lyndal Ryan.

Speakers at the launch include security officers and ACT Senator Kate Lundy.

The security officers' launch and bbq begin at 12.30 pm Saturday 24 October at Kambah Woolshed, cnr Springbett Street and O'Halloran Circuit, Kambah.

For more information and interviews contact Lyndal Ryan - 0411 643 982

SOURCE: LHMU