The Catch 22 that arises when the NZ Security Industry is stretched!

Kia Ora,

Since Christchurch was hit by the earthquake the NZ Security Industry in the city has been stretched. Stretched to the extent that anecdotal evidence from another city says two of the major players have been recruiting there for security guards.

It has led to a Catch 22 situation where companies just have no one spare to fill in if people can't make it & in one case led a company refusing to let a staff member attend a call out as a volunteer fireman.

The sort of people who join the military, police or work in the NZ Security Industry are likely to be the type of person who will either just go & help or be a volunteer.

At the lowest level a security guard is poorly paid but has to deal with some of the most dangerous situations in the community often by themself. Usually before the police become involved. Many stick at it because there is that feeling of service without the real down sides of been a police officer like telling a family someone has died.
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Interestingly the union has now jumped in to highlight the situation.

I take it that is the same union that was involved when I worked for a sub contractor. They negotiated a huge agreement which included a wage rise that only covered the union fees, a wage rise for those with NZQA level 3 qualification of which at the time I was one of only three with it & was not entitled to it as worked for the sub contractor. Worst of all they negotiated a protected wage for senior guards but a new lower rate for those joining the company. Everyone seen coming what happened next. All the experienced staff suddenly received less & less hours of work which went to those with no experience at all & generally no security background.Therefore the senior guards had to leave to find other work to live.
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In the current situation, & it is likely to go on for a while, there are a few people who need to look at the reality of the situation. This includes bureaucrats who quote their acts but don't look at the intent of the act when it was passed through the New Zealand parliament. Which is what the legal profession do if it goes that far.

The NZ Security Industry overall is of a low standard but at the moment at least in Christchurch it is stretched & doing what it can with the resources available. Some situations are a real catch 22 & the industry is just doing its best to make it all work.

Some staff are so worn out. I am aware of one trying to convince his missus to just get on a plane with him & move to Australia. They have certainly earned enough money of late to do so.

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