Union says security guards contracted by the state are unsafe underpaid and gagged

Security guards contracted by the government to work in the state’s courts and hospitals through a private firm are unsafe, underpaid and unable to speak out, says the United Workers Union. But their employer has rejected the claims as ‘false’.

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CLAIMS Wilson Security staff working in the state’s courts and hospitals face unsafe work conditions, are ill-trained, underpaid and gagged have been rejected by the company as “false and incorrect”.

United Workers Union members placed 90 cardboard cut-outs of security guards in front of the Launceston General Hospital on Wednesday morning to represent those in the state service they say are gagged by their employer.

UWU property services spokeswoman Sarah Ellis said an “unprepared” guard was attacked at the Royal Hobart Hospital recently and Magistrates Court security staff had been injured in recent incidents.

She said security work in the state service was more demanding and higher risk than normal security jobs.

“The award seems to be written for guards who are working in retail supermarkets, but the work they do here is pretty unique,” she said.

“They’re working with very dangerous people often, they’re attacked, they’re understaffed, they are not given the training, PPE or support they need.”

United Workers Union property services spokesperson Sarah Ellis and other UWU members protested the working conditions of Wilson Security staff working in the state service such as hospitals and courts. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Ms Ellis called for the state government to provide security staff with the same training received by correctional officers and police and for the guards to be brought in house so training could be assured and wages could reflect the higher risk.

A Wilson security spokeswoman said the statements made by the union were “false” and the company was “extremely disappointed” by the claims.

“Wilson takes the health, safety and wellbeing of its workers very seriously and works hard to protect all its employees,” she said.

“All security personnel are remunerated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Security Industry Award 2010.”

Launceston Magistrate Court.

The spokeswoman said Wilson had provided all of its guards with PPE, including face masks and hand sanitiser and they have access to rubber gloves, protective eyewear and disposable gowns.

“We provide additional specialised training to meet hospital standards, as required.

“In the cases where Wilson is required to escort people, the Company follows the same practice and procedures as (Tasmania Police).”

The spokeswoman said Wilson also has “tools” to ensure workers feel comfortable raising health and safety issues in their workplace, including a Whistleblowing program and Employee Assist Program, which can be used to escalate issues.

“We are diligent in our investigations of these issues, as employee health, safety and wellbeing is paramount to Wilson Security,” she said.

A Tasmanian Health Service spokesman said the THS uses security staff from reputable private providers as they bring the relevant skills and experience.

“Provision of security services is not core health business, and therefore, it is tendered to the private sector, like a number of other similar services,” he said.

The spokesman said all security staff deployed to the THS receive: training in Code Black procedures and roles, including specific training in responding to aggressive patients;

heliport officer training for security staff working at the North West Regional Hospital, the Mersey Community Hospital and Royal Hobart Hospital; and infection control and PPE training if working in areas that require it.

The spokesman said private security guards only performed in-court duties protecting the general public, staff and judicial officers.

“Ultimately, court security is a matter for the courts.”