From trollies to Trident?

The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) – first formed after the 1989 Deal Barracks bomb attack over concerns that private security were not properly trained to guard MoD sites – is now under dire threat of the very private firm failures that prompted its founding in the first place.

Unite has roundly condemned government plans to open the MGS up to bids from private firms such as Mitie and G4S – such proposals could see supermarket security staff guarding the nuclear deterrent Trident.

It is thought that as part of its plans to cut 30 per cent of civilian staff by 2020, the government aims to sell off thousands of MGS jobs to attain ÂŁ17m in savings over five years, but Unite fears that this could seriously compromise safety.

The proposals still need Cabinet Office approval. If the plans are approved, private security firms could start taking over the MGS as early as spring of next year.

Although more than 2,000 MSG staff guard about 100 MoD sites across the UK, the sites covering Trident at Faslane and Coulport are the most high-profile.

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara, whose constituency includes the two sites, condemned the potential privatisation.

“Coming only days after promises to plough further public money into the Trident renewal programme and the increase of personnel to be transferred to the Faslane base over the next few years, we cannot play fast and loose with security at the base,” he said.

“The local community and the staff at both Faslane and Coulport must have absolute confidence that the facilities are secured by the very best security services available.

“This must be matched by the investments that are being placed in the renewal of Trident.”

Unite national officer for the MoD and government departments Mike McCartney said that Unite “wholeheartedly opposes these plans”.

‘Irrational and dangerous’

He added that the union considers “any such proposals are irrational and dangerous to the security not only of MoD sites, but to the security of our service personnel, their families and to all the civilians employed across these sites.”

“If these proposals went ahead we could see someone deterring shoplifters at a supermarket on a Sunday then that same person turning up to guard a nuclear site on Monday,” McCartney warned. “Employment conditions, training and standards could be compromised in ‘a race to the bottom’ by a private company keen to maximise profit.

“The prospect of an outsourcing company such as G4S, which was in charge during December’s prison riot in Birmingham and responsible for the security fiasco at the 2012 Olympics, taking over the MGS makes the heart sink and should be a matter of serious public concern.”

Indeed, G4S, the world’s largest security firm, which provides services for some UK prisons, immigrant detention centres and more, has been plagued by scandals for years. Despite successive failures, it continues to be a key provider of government services.

And a study commissioned by Unison has found that outsourcing government work to private firms often means that workers suffer worst, with their pay, terms and conditions slashed as they are asked to do more with less.

The quality of services too suffers – if the MGS proposals go through, private security companies would be required to bid on a criteria which is currently based on 70 per cent on price and only 30 per cent on quality.

McCartney said that Unite does not believe that the ÂŁ17m in savings the government is aiming for could be made anyway.

“We further believe that this is not a cost saving exercise, but merely a ruse so the MoD can meet the government’s target to axe 30 per cent of the civilian workforce across the whole of the MoD,” he added. “These controversial plans should be dropped immediately.”

Unite has met with Nia Griffiths, the shadow defence secretary, who has now tabled a question on this issue to the defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon.

Unite has also made contact with Jackie Baillie, Labour MSP, whose Dumbarton constituency includes Faslane, who has also written to Fallon. She has laid down a motion at the Scottish Parliament calling for an official debate, acknowledging the vital role the MGS plays.

You can help in Unite’s campaign against MGS privatisation by writing to your MP – find out more here.