DWP failings are responsible for violence against staff, as workers go on strike

On Monday 1 June 1,400 security guards working in DWP Jobcentres have walked out in a week of industrial action. They are demanding fair pay from G4S – a British multinational private security company – who currently hold the contract to run security at Jobcentres across the country:

Solidarity with @GMB_union members at G4S taking action from today for a pay rise ✊

We went with our General Secretary @nowak_paul to Birkenhead Job Centre this morning to talk to those on strike, see and hear the public support and give the support of the movement pic.twitter.com/HvaxqI5Wfx

— TUC North West (@TUCNorthWest) July 1, 2024

#NSSN supporting @GMB_union #strike by #G4S #jobcentre security staff – #Southampton picket@GMBSouthern pic.twitter.com/kufcp8N8IW

— NSSN (@NSSN_AntiCuts) July 1, 2024

According to GMB, research shows that 80% of security guards regularly suffer abuse. For example, DWP claimants have attacked them with dogs, punched them, and attacked them with screwdrivers. In total, G4S now pay 90% of their guards slightly above the minimum wage.

Interestingly, the amount the DWP paid G4S is £211m, but employment costs are far less that that, at £161m. This suggests that G4S are taking a hefty £50m profit.

@GMBLondonRegion members who work for @G4S providing security for staff at Job Centres ,face physical and mental abuse daily and between the @DWPgovuk and @G4S they pay the Minimum Wage 🤬 Not Right !! Our members demand Fair Pay Now !#membersfirst #Ealing Job Centre pic.twitter.com/F90tR6pesQ

— Dean Gilligan (@Deangilli6) May 8, 2024

🚨✊🏾Solidarity in Action! ✊🏾🚨

Today, GMB Union G4S members took a stand outside the Job Centre in Southampton, striking for better pay and working conditions. We proudly joined from the Southampton S37 Branch to show our unwavering support. Together, we are stronger!#GMBUnion… pic.twitter.com/SkgE2gTG4j

— Ali Haydor (@theAliHaydor) July 1, 2024

DWP: systematic abuse

Anyone paying attention knows about the DWP’s failings. The public body systemically abuses the people it’s supposed to support. Clearly, G4S are propping this system up. Yet people still question why the guards are getting abused. It doesn’t take a PhD to work that one out:

Absolute pleasure to join @GMB_union @GMB_union_NWI members on strike at G4S today.

Essential security staff in job centres being paid barely the national minimum wage and denied a decent wage rise for 2 years.

Time for G4S and the DWP to step up and resolve this dispute! pic.twitter.com/Wbjg9qByNI

— Paul Nowak (@nowak_paul) July 1, 2024

Let’s face it, ‘essential security staff’ should not be a part of job centres. The DWP should be creating safe spaces which actually serve vulnerable people.

We can prevent violence

Fear breeds violence.

When the system traps anyone in poverty they become stuck in a fight or flight response. Therefore, the part of your brain which is responsible for making good decisions becomes underactive.

In practice, this means that the DWP could singlehandedly reduce the amount of violence seen in Jobcentres by paying people enough to actually survive on and pay bills, and by creating a system that doesn’t consist of endless hoop jumping. Having to prove you are worthy of being able to afford to eat is inhumane, and only serves the people profiteering from the broken system.

People would be far less likely to become violent if they felt safe. That safety clearly doesn’t come from being afraid of having your payments stopped –  which is what millions of people are facing:

Why do job centres need security guards? Why has it been outsourced to G4S? Maybe if we had a government that treated people attending job centres with humanity, security wouldn’t be needed 🤔 https://t.co/KSBWrB9XLG

— Lynn Denham 🌹❌ (@LynnDenham1) May 7, 2024

✊✊✊Supporting GMB members who work as DWP security guards employed by G4S in their ongoing strike action over low pay

👉👉👉Read the latest article about the dispute forum this week’s the Socialist – https://t.co/0KvKLjjZzu#gmbunion #g4s #leeds #dwp pic.twitter.com/cuvrkW3wta

— Leeds SP (@leedssp) July 1, 2024

Vulnerable people left to suffer

As a result of G4S security staff going on strike, vulnerable people who are claiming benefits are unable to access Jobcentres. This puts them at even greater risk with the DWP’s callous policies:

@GMBGriff @DWP @G4S stop paying to shut down the job centres and start talking about pay awards ✊🏻 the vulnerable unemployed people who need these services yet again suffer @GMBMidlands pic.twitter.com/DfsX5iU1LR

— Samantha Warburton (@gmbsamwarburton) July 1, 2024

Supporting G4S workers today with @GMB_Southampton
Workers are paid minimum wage, no company sick pay and pay for training while the company makes 20 billion turnover globally! Join us today to fight to make work better! 💪 #GMB #UnionStrong #newdealforworkingpeople pic.twitter.com/NpXPVHKJFc

— Carina Smith (@carina_smi6410) July 1, 2024

The more important question should be, why do Jobcentre’s need security guards in the first place? Unfortunately, the answer is simple. The DWP backed up by the Conservative government has created a system which is entirely unfit for purpose.

It goes without saying, G4S need to pay their security guards a liveable wage – just like anyone else. Especially when the job puts them at risk. However, imagine if the DWP invested that £211m into creating a system that actually helps people instead of one which dehumanises people even further.

Let’s hope G4S and the DWP have a back up plan. Because come Friday, there is going to be a hell of a lot of Tory MP’s queuing up at the Jobcentre.

Feature image via Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)/Youtube