UFCW 832 represents over 2000 private security guards in Manitoba, including the members working at G4S who will be taking on the new duties contracted by our provincial government.
Jeff Traeger said, “As the Union responsible for lobbying and successfully bringing in the security guard minimum wage and training standards in the province, we are concerned with the training that will be offered. For the past several months, UFCW 832 has been in conversation with the province of Manitoba, pushing for updated and additional training for Manitoba’s security guards.”
A letter is being sent today to the minister of Justice and minister of Health requesting clarity on this matter.
The training that UFCW 832 wants to see for all security guards includes items such as:
- De-escalation training
- Non-violent Crisis Intervention
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Mental Health Awareness
- Mental Health First Aid
- Harm Reduction Training
“The current level of training that is required for all Security Guards is a start. However, it needs to be improved upon with a comprehensive approach teaching all guards how to de-escalate situations through non-violent methods and includes education around poverty and addictions,” said Traeger. “This additional training needs to be put into legislation and go hand-in-hand with the reintroduction of the Security Guard Minimum Wage.
These are the skills that the Union has identified that would help security guards better do their jobs. These skills would improve relations with the public and protect both themselves and the people they interact with.
Security Guards have always been on the frontlines of this pandemic. Guards are present at healthcare facilities, grocery stores, and elsewhere. They have not received any sort of hero pay. It’s time we acknowledged that. It’s time we brought back the Security Guard Minimum Wage.
“Pallister’s government removed the Security Guard Minimum Wage, back in 2017,” said Jeff Traeger, President of UFCW Local 832. “Now, in a time of crisis, Manitoban’s are relying on Security Guards to help.”
The security industry is incredibly competitive, keeping contract pricing low and wages suppressed for the workers. Bargaining with all companies doesn’t happen simultaneously and never will. Implementing a minimum wage for this industry is the only way to lift wages at all companies at the same time, for both unionized and non-unionized workers. This would allow companies to compete with each other fairly.
UFCW Local 832 represents over 2000 private security guards in Manitoba at G4S, Garda, Impact, Securitas and SRG.