Security guards walk out of Norwich Job Centre over abuse

Workers at the Pottergate offices have long suffered abuse, according to one guard, including being shouted at with death threats, spat on and even charged with a samurai sword. 

The guard, who has joined colleagues on strike across the country this week and who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "It's every day now. 

"I've been doing this for 16 years and it's getting worse all the time. 

"We're being treated like guinea pigs and human shields and the pay just isn't good enough."

GMB Union-backed guards did not turn up to work at the city centre site on Monday and will remain on strike until Saturday in protest of low pay, which they say is not in line with the risk they expose themselves to.

The security guards are being backed by GMB which argues for them to be paid commensurately for the abuse they endure (Image: Newsquest)

The guard added: "We're threatened and assaulted but expected to soak it up because 'it's our jobs', but we're treated like second-class citizens to the Job Centre staff."

But the guards are not employed by the Job Centre and are instead employed by G4S, a private security company, which is reportedly refusing to negotiate.

And with customers behaving increasingly like "wild animals", the guards have had enough, especially with 90pc being paid the minimum wage or less.

READ MORE: Locals stunned as beloved carvery is restricted to hotel guests only

A GMB spokesman said: "The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has shelled out £211m to G4S since Dec 2022 despite staff costs being just £161m during the same period - a difference of £50m.

Job Centre security staff are on strike this week (Image: PA Wire)

"Talks are being arranged to settle the dispute but the DWP and G4S are refusing to participate."

The Pottergate guard added: "It's not rocket science – if the DWP and G4S want to end this dispute, make sure these guards are paid enough to live on."

Pay dispute 

A G4S spokesman acknowledged that "dedicated" security staff "do a great job, sometimes in difficult circumstances".

The company offered a proposal including a 6.5pc pay increase from April 2023, followed by an average rise of 9.3pc from December 2023 to April 2024.

The spokesman said: "We urge the GMB to present our offer to our employees, which is both above minimum wage and inflation. We are keen to bring this dispute to an amicable conclusion."

READ MORE: Canaries' Shane Duffy banned from driving and fined £25k for drunk Range Rover crash

Contingency plans have been put in place "to ensure the safety of DWP locations, employees and the service users".

The spokesman added: "This is our best and last offer put to the GMB in April 2024 and the union has refused to put it to a vote by its members. Once agreed all backdated pay would be paid to our employees.

"Since 2022, G4S has made 12 pay offers and the GMB has taken only two to a ballot."