Alistair Tice, Sheffield Socialist Party
On the fourth day of strike action by G4S security guards employed at the Department for Work and Pensions, members of the GMB union at Cavendish Court in Sheffield were heartened by the vote of security guards in PCS: 95% for strike action. None of the six PCS members scheduled to work had come in, and two joined their GMB colleagues on the picket line.
90% are on minimum wage and they have had no pay rise since 2021.
One security guard, who has worked for the company for 37 years, told me how his long service had been renumerated:
- 5 years – got a badge
- 10 years – another badge and a candelabra!
- 15 years – another badge and points
- 20 years – nothing
- 25 years – nothing
- 30 years – £300 gift voucher
- 35 years – nothing
- 37 years – minimum wage and ON STRIKE!
