Press Release
GMB calls on employers across UK to assist Olympics security staff to find jobs after Games
7 August 2012
We do not want to see the legacy of these games, which have been such a source of national pride, to be that those recruited from the ranks of the unemployed to secure the games forced back on the dole says GMB
GMB, the union for security staff, is calling on employers across the UK to assist GMB members employed as Olympic security staff to find work after the games to stop them being returned to the dole.
Many of the 8,000 security staff were recruited from the ranks of the unemployed earlier this year and were properly trained to provide security at the games. This was after a variation, in December 2011, to the original G4S contract to supply 2,000 security staff and manage an additional 8,000 volunteers. In December 2011 LOCOG said it needed G4S to deliver 10,400 security staff.
The staff recruited and trained are from: London, Glasgow, Manchester, Coventry, Birmingham, Cardiff, Newcastle, Sunderland, Leicester, Swansea, Liverpool, Nottingham, Hull, Sheffield, Middlesbrough, Edinburgh, Southampton, Plymouth, Norwich, Ipswich, Brighton, Portsmouth, Leeds and Blackpool. See notes to Editors for details of the training they received.
They are now all licensed by the Security Industry Authority and the majority have accreditation from the Home Office. When games are over they will have 13 weeks practical experience at a major international event.
The jobs which they will be qualified to do could involve; monitoring CCTV, baggage checks at airports, office reception/security, security in the leisure and the leisure sector like music venues and sporting events and pubs and nightclubs, static security on building sites and other locations including car parks and many more job sectors which the employees can go into after their job in the Olympics.
Bob Crosby, National Lead Organiser for Staff at G4S, said"Many of these staff were recruited directly from the dole all across the UK earlier this year when LOCOG recognized they needed more security staff. These staff cannot be held responsible for the problems with the contract that came to light before the games.
All are currently contracted for a 13 week period with G4S. They have all completed their training and have an SIA license which is their property for 3 years. The majority have accreditation from the Home Office. During this 13 week contract with G4S they are rostered to work on one of the Olympic sites.
When this staffs have finished work on the Olympics G4S is committed to make every effort to find jobs within the company.
GMB is calling on employers across the UK to assist finding them employment elsewhere in the security industry or other sectors.
We do not want to see the legacy of these games, which have been such a source of national pride, to be that those recruited from the ranks of the unemployed to secure the games forced back on the dole. Potential employers should contact GMB for more information.”
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