Brinks management 'locking out staff'

Staff at cash-in-transit security firm Brinks Allied are being “locked out” of work, union chiefs claimed tonight.

SIPTU members voted in favour of restoring full work duties at Brinks, but refused to operate four new security vehicles.

But Brinks management rejected the offer and said normal work could not resume unless staff agreed to use the new vehicles.

SIPTU security services branch secretary Kevin McMahon threatened strike action after claiming the move barred staff from working in a safe environment.

“This is a lockout and we will be balloting our members for industrial action next week,” Mr McMahon said.

“We have been acting reasonably throughout this dispute. Today’s ballot was to clarify that our members are committed to carrying out their duties fully.”

Staff at the company had insisted they would not accept proposals to use new security vans, imported from Holland, and new procedures following a spate of attempted robberies.

Brinks Allied said it introduced the new security vans and measures after a worrying number of armed robberies around the country.

In particular, drivers do not agree with new company regulations to flee the scene and abandon their colleague in the event of a robbery.

But fears are growing that up to 200 cash machines in the east of the country could end up empty over the weekend.

Supermarkets and shops also began offering customers cash back on Laser cards in order to reduce the amount of money on the premises.

Mr McMahon added: “Their (Brinks staff) concerns are about health and safety issues and these must be addressed by the company sooner or later.”

He welcomed a decision by the company to return to the Labour Relations Commission for further discussions.

SIPTU had suggested this course on Wednesday after Brinks backtracked on plans to attend the Labour Court.