Security walkout shock
SECURITY guards are bailing on the Commonwealth Games or not showing up at all amid complaints about living quarters and working conditions.
Potentially hundreds of local guards have failed to show up, along with a number from interstate, leaving the Gold Coast at risk of being light on security staff.
The shock revelation comes just hours out from the opening ceremony, with several security insiders, including Games subcontractors, confirming the walkouts.
A number of job ads for Commonwealth Games security have appeared on job seeker websites over the last week but were taken down following backlash from Games organisers.
Both GOLDOC and the Queensland Police said they were well prepared for the Games, but did not answer specific questions about the no-shows.
The Bulletin spoke to a number of local security industry insiders and was told there were now hundreds of absences and guards leaving due to working conditions as well as a raft of other factors.
Another insider said there has been several complaints and people leaving over the guards living in school campstyle conditions.
Police sources said a contingency plan had been put in place to deal with security guards either not showing up or bailing completely.
In a statement GOLDOC did not answer questions around security guards failing to front up but said they had enough staff for the Games.
“We are confident and wellprepared in relation to security arrangements for the Games,” the statement said.
“We have the required number of contract security guards needed for Games-time security, which includes an allowance for a contingency workforce.
“We are today undertaking our largest on-boarding of our security workforce, which has been sourced from local and interstate providers, in preparation for the Games commencement.
“There is a combined security workforce of approximately 10,000 people ensuring a safe and secure environment for the Games.”
In answer to concerns around accommodation at the Games the statement said security guards are able to voice their issues with a team leader.
“As part of the onboarding process we have sent a workforce support team to every security accommodation site to meet and greet the team and review all arrangements.”
Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said there is no specific intelligence that was cause for concern in relation to the conduct of the Games or any particular concerns around violent protests.
The four major security companies working on the Games – SECUREcorp, SNP, Wilson and MSS Security – would not comment due to contracts with GOLDOC or didn’t return calls by deadline.