Local warden reform an example for private security companies – GWU

General Workers Union professionals sector secretary Cory Greenland said that the reform in the local wardens system had brought a normalisation of working conditions for wardens. 

Parliamentary secretary Chris Said met with the wardens to determine what problems the wardens were facing and find possible solutions. Greenland said the outcome was positive with more than half of their suggestions implemented.

Substantial increases to wardens pay packages will be implemented bringing salaries up to a minimum of €10,000 and a maximum of €15,000.

Working hours have been addressed in the reform. Wardens will work 40 hours per week, with overtime paid for additional hours. A Sunday premium was also put in place.

The annual license scheme is to be replaced with permanent licenses. Previously wardens had to undergo a refresher course and pay for their license to be renewed on an annual basis. Under the reform the license fee is to be scrapped though 50 hours of training per annum is to be withheld.

Health and safety issues have also been addressed with wardens patrolling areas of high risk or after nightfall to work in pairs.

Although Greenland was positive about the reform he was quick to note that the reform is not the end of ongoing struggle in the security sector. 

Private security companies competing for tenders are doing so at the detriment of working conditions of their staff. Government contracts have been awarded to companies at fees that make it impossible for those companies to pay their employees the legally-required minimum wage (€3.82).

Greenland condemns the government for employing companies that are disregarding working conditions of their staff. “It has to be the government to start making sure that tenders are only awarded to companies that respect the working conditions of employees. Private industry will then follow suit.”

He said it is deplorable how companies can justify spending more money on paper because it has been recycled but then will employ security companies that pay employees less than minimum wage without leave.