The Labour Court recommended that Securicor Security Limited and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union hold further talks on whether static and patrol guards should receive all or part of a 3% pay increase. The recommendation was signed on 26 March 1998.
The dispute concerned about 360 static guards and 30 patrol guards across eight regional branches. The parties had agreed the increase for other staff categories, but had not agreed productivity measures to offset the cost for the guards.
The union proposed changes including greater flexibility in work practices, and said guards had taken on additional duties without extra pay. Securicor argued that the increase required concessions in return and could raise costs, putting contracts and jobs at risk.
The Court said some of the union’s proposals could bring longer-term benefits to the company. It recommended that the parties meet to explore measures that could justify payment of the increase or part of it. The Court did not recommend an immediate increase; it called for further discussion to identify possible agreement.