GWU warns of further action from wardens if demands are not met

The General Workers’ Union (GWU) warned today that further action will be taken if their demands regarding wardens’ wages continue to be ignored until the reform in the quota system is complete.

Speaking at a protest in front of the G4S security building in San Ġwann, GWU Section Secretary for Professionals, Finances and Services Charles Galea said that until the new tender is released next year, the union has asked that temporary arrangements are made so that wardens are paid as much as security guards.

“Wardens are the least paid in enforcement sector,” Galea said. “The majority of wardens are paid €5.30 per hour, while security guards receive €5.80. We only asked that wardens’ wages match that of security guards, but this was not approved,” he added.

Galea said that wardens face a double-edged knife, often dealing with the brunt of both their employers at G4S, a private company, and the general public. “Wardens face public anger due to the fines they are dutifully obliged to give out, and if they don’t they face issues with their employer,” he said.

Galea lamented that because wardens are governed by a private company, the main objective is profit.

GWU Secretary General Josef Bugeja stepped in to explain shortcomings in the current quota system.

“The current system is based on handing out fines and making a profit out of that, when it should be based on citizen education,” he said, adding that this, together with the poor conditions push wardens to leave and deter other people from joining. This, he said, adds further pressures to those on duty.

Galea mentioned anecdotes of local councils only hiring one warden to control traffic and patrol main roads, when such a job would require at least two, according to him.  He also mentioned that there were currently two wardens on injury leave after being run over during night duty.

The local enforcement reform was to see a new government agency being set up. In its first phase, the agency was meant to focus mainly on co-ordinating existing bodies and improving the synergy between all partners. In its second phase, which was meant to take place before the end of 2015, the agency was to become a regulatory authority. However, during the protest, it was said that the reform is still in its early stages.