Guards are ’bullied, unpaid and underfed’

CLAIMS of bullying, not being paid and unfair dismissals are the latest controversies to be levelled at Commonwealth Games organisers by security guards.

The Bulletin revealed last week hundreds of security guards had walked out on their job at the Games due to working and accommodations conditions and now a security guard has blown the whistle on how they’re allegedly being treated.

The guard claimed she had yet to be paid, had been a target of bullying by supervisors and that a staff member had been fired from their position for taking biscuits because they were being underfed.

The interstate security officer did not want to be named, out of fear she would become a bigger target by supervisors.

“So many guards have walked off the job … someone was even fired for stealing biscuits because they hadn’t been fed, that was part of our contract that we’d be fed,” the guard said.

“They still haven’t paid me … I’ve emailed them asking about the pay, for the whole time I’ve been here I haven’t been paid for one shift.

“Apparently it’s fortnightly pay, but I’ve been here longer than that … they just keeping telling us to be patient.”

The guard said she had worked across a number of venues and had been asked to do things that were either against policy, or made her uncomfortable.

“I was asked to rove without a radio, or another person at night. I was a bit upset by that, I’m new to the industry, but I know you’re not supposed to do that,” she said. “Another night they wouldn’t let me take a break to go to the toilet.”

GOLDOC refused to answer questions regarding the latest allegations and instead sent a three paragraph statement.

“We have the required number of contract security guards needed for Games time security,” the statement read.

“There is a combined security workforce of approximately 10,000 people ensuring a safe and secure environment for the Games.

“Security has been functioning well at venues.”