G4S workers vote to strike in December

Staff working for security firm G4S have voted to strike in December, prompting fears of cash shortages in shops and banks before the annual Christmas retail frenzy.

Members of the GMB union working for G4S’s cash delivery business returned a 97% vote in favour of action. The strike is scheduled to take place from 0300 GMT on December 4.

The security operator and outsourcing firm said it has “contingency plans” to mitigate disruption if the strike goes ahead.

G4S Cash Solutions initially offered members a part pay freeze amid a cost of living crisis and inflation running at 11%. The firm has since offered a 4% increase and lump sum bonus based on contracted hours.

The security giant was taken over by American firm Allied Universal for £3.8bn last year.

“There are low paid workers doing a dangerous job, transferring the cash so many of us still rely on every day,” said Eamon O’Hearn, GMB national officer.

“All they are asking for is a wage they can live on, that they can feed their families on, that they can treat their children this Christmas on. G4S Cash staff provide an absolutely vital service. If they walk out, we can expect genuine cash shortages over the festive period.”

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com