Queensland Investment Corporation ends Grand Central contract with Springmount Services

The company that has provided security and cleaning services at Grand Central Shopping Center for the past two years will make way for a new contractor amid concerns for staff safety and a spike in crime.

Springmount Service will end its contract to provide security and cleaning services at Grand Central Shopping Centre after staff raised their concerns about workplace violence and an alleged culture of bullying.

The Chronicle can confirm the Glad Group will take over the contract on September 8.

Current staff were informed via an email on Friday which promised a ‘smooth transition’ to the new contractor – the Glad Group.

Grand Central Centre Manager Tracey Ford said the Glad Group will deliver security, cleaning, customer service and maintenance.

“The existing contract with Springmount Services will end following discussions with the contractor over recent months,” she said,

“All jobs will transition to the new contractor under the same pay and conditions, with all entitlements carried over.”

Grand Central Shopping Centre is owned by the Queensland Investment Corporation, which also owns the Logan Hyperdome, Robina Town Centre and 14 other Australian shopping centres.

The decision only affects Grand Central and Springmount will keep its existing QIC contacts with other centres.

The Chronicle understands QIC had an independent security expert audit Grand Central which was damning of Springmount’s operations.

It is understood this audit led to the QIC moving to end the contract.

“Work is underway to ensure a seamless transition for Grand Central customers and staff,” Ms Ford said.

The changeover comes after a Chronicle investigation revealed in April that more than a dozen staff had resigned citing safety concerns.

They claimed Springmount Services has disregarded calls for extra safety measures such as employing more staff so the guards can patrol in pairs and outfitting them with stab-proof vests.

One ex-employee who had worked at the centre for several years described Springmount as “rookies”.

“They stepped into something that they were not prepared for,” he said.

Another ex-employee with more than five years of experience in the industry described working for Springmount Services as “a nightmare”.

“I saw violence on almost every shift and there was loads of shoplifting,” they said.

“The staff needed stab-proof vests and we were asking for them from the day I started.”

QIC denied the claims but backflipped a week later and issued staff with stab-proof vests.

United Workers Union organiser Damien Davie was involved in the talks with QIC and welcomed the changeover.

“We understand the range of issues with Springmount and QIC has sought to change contractor,” he said

“We are hopeful that the change of contractor will lead to our members having a safer workplace and more secure jobs.”

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