BSIA welcomes GMB’s move towards better welfare for security officers

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has offered its support to the GMB trade union following the announcement of the union’s new charter, aimed at improving employee welfare and safety for security officers.

The new charter, which was officially launched yesterday (March 1 st), will improve conditions for security officers through better sick pay schemes, injury on duty agreements, additional support, counselling and welfare arrangements, robust training in conflict management, lone worker arrangements and better use of technology.

Jude Brimble, GMB’s National Officer representing the security industry, says: “GMB is calling on employers and stakeholders within the security industry to work together to reduce violent attacks against security officers undertaking their duty in public places. We need a joined up approach to target resources and tackle crime and violence against officers, but we are also campaigning for improvements in welfare so officers receive emotional, professional and financial support following attacks.”

James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA, speaks in support of such a joined-up approach: “As the leading trade association representing the private security industry, the BSIA is continually striving to promote the importance of high standards within the industry. As such, we support the GMB in its work towards improving security officers’ terms and conditions.”

The charter also calls on the wider security industry to collate statistical data in order to develop a national picture on attack trends to help target resources to reduce attacks on security officers.

James continues: “While attacks on security officers are often viewed as business crimes, i t is important to remember that these are attacks on individuals which can have long-lasting physical and psychological affects. The BSIA is actively involved in work to reduce such crimes and supports any initiative which aims to reduce the risk of attack faced by security officers on a daily basis.”

GMB’s charter calls for contractors to develop strong partnership working with GMB to raise standards and reduce crime and violence; signing up to the charter is the first step of the action plan to initiate those standards. It was launched as part of GMB’s National SafeGuard Campaign on 1 st March 2010.