Brinks dispute ends after sides agree security deal

A LONG-RUNNING dispute at a security transit company, which has left hundreds of cash machines empty across the east coast, finally ended yesterday.

The five-week stand-off between management and unions at Brinks Allied was resolved after both sides agreed on the introduction of new security and safety systems.

The measures are designed to remove access to cash from Brinks security transport crews to deter the spiralling number of armed attacks by criminal gangs.

Members voted by 35 to 25 to accept the latest proposal from the company, which includes a €375 payment each towards loss of earnings.

Kevin McMahon, the Security Services Branch Secretary of SIPTU, said the settlement addressed workers' main concerns over health and safety issues.

"At the core of the agreement is the introduction of new security and safety systems which will remove cash on the part of security crews and as a consequence will also remove the controversial drive-away policy," he said.

The dispute was sparked when Brinks workers refused to adopt new rules, including a "drive away" policy urging staff to abandon colleagues in the event of an attempted robbery.

Employees were also unhappy at plans to introduce new imported security vehicles, and consistently said they were prepared to operate under old working guidelines.

As part of the new agreed security arrangements, cash will be transported from vehicles to locations using smoke/dye boxes, which the crew members have no access to, and in the event of unauthorised tampering with the boxes the cash will be destroyed.

The agreement commits both parties to the use of end-to-end cash protection systems.

Mr McMahon said management at banks, the gardai and the Government must all play their part to ensure the safety of security staff in the future.

He said this included a clamp down on the criminal gangs behind a spate of armed robberies on cash van crews since the beginning of the year.

"For the new security systems to be effective, the banks will also have to improve security at their ATM bunkers and the gardaí will also have to provide extra support and indeed, we would see a role for the Government," he said.

The agreement will result in the restoration of all Brinks cash transportation services, including reloading of ATM machines.