First Security pay settlement explained – April 2024

Pay increase details:

  • A 25 cents per hour increase for ALL union members only, on top of site rates and the minimum wage.

Example 1) A member who was earning the minimum wage rate of $22.70 until 1 April, will receive a new rate of $23.40. This includes the recent minimum wage increase to $23.15 plus the union member only additional rate of $0.25 per hour. Members on the minimum wage will be earning 70 cents an hour more than they were before April 1 as a result. 

  • A guard with an NZQA Level 3 Security qualification is currently required to be paid $23.65 as a minimum. This rate will increase by $1.75 (7.4%) to a new minimum of $25.40, including the union member only additional rate of $0.25 per hour.
  • Backdated pay for all members of the union at the date of ratification to 1 December 2023, excluding the effect of the minimum wage rise prior to 1 April.

Example 2) A guard currently on the minimum wage working a 50-hour week between 1 December and 3 May would receive a backdated wage payment of approximately $275 (before tax).

Example 3) A member with a Level 3 qualification currently being paid $23.65 per hour working a 50-hour week between 1 December and 3 May would receive a backdated wage payment of over $1,000 (before tax).

Other (non-pay) benefits of the settlement

  • A commitment from First Security to improve health and safety practices, and participation from union members. Progress on health and safety will be mandated by a variation to the collective agreed in the coming months.
  • An increase in the vehicle reimbursement (mileage) rate in the collective agreement from 77 cents to the IRD rate of 95 cents per km.
  • An improvement to annual leave notice periods: guards will no longer be required to provide one month’s notice for shorter periods of annual leave.
  • An improvement to bereavement leave practices by the employer.
  • An EAP offer of 3 sessions per event (minimum) for all workers, guaranteed under the collective agreement.
  • Quicker assessments of extreme weather uniform requirements for guards from the employer and guaranteed provision of wet weather gear where required.
  • Introduction of a guaranteed notice period to affected workers and the union in circumstances where redundancies are required. 

Make sure you get along to a ratification meeting to have your say on this offer!