Protest calls for Darien Rush Security to be stripped of World Rugby Cup contract

Unite Union is holding a protest outside Darien Rush Security in Khyber Pass Road today (Thursday) from 9am to protest the company's abusive treatment of its employees. (Darien Rush Security has the contract to provide security services for Eden Park during the Rugby World Cup)

"We have received numerous complaints from workers employed by the company and the company's appalling attitude to workers rights is best exemplified by the email sent by Darien Rush to Unite last week," said Unite Union organiser John Minto. The email was sent in response to Unite Union initiating bargaining for a collective employment agreement with the company.

Darien Rush replied:

"Darien Rush Security is a Non Union site and will remain so.

"Furthermore, you are instructed not to contact any of my clients advising them that you have entered into formal negotiations with my company (as you have with RNZ) as this is completely false and a blatant lie.

"I also put you on notice that all/any Unite Union Organisers / Management will be formally trespassed and the police advised if you attempt to enter the private property of darien rush security at any time as you are not welcome."

The email indicates Darien Rush Security has only a dim understanding of employment law and no respect for the employment rights of his employees to receive employment advice from a union or exercise their rights to collective bargaining under the Employment Relations Act.

Darien Rush has since "withdrawn" his email but the underlying attitude of the company to its workers and their employment rights is clear. We have received numerous complaints from workers at Darien Rush which include:

1. Staff not being paid from their check in time. For example staff are required to attend briefings and collect their uniforms etc from 2.30pm but are paid only for the hours worked from 5pm. The paid hours are on the absolute minimum wage which means overall these employees are being paid less than the minimum wage.

2. Continual complaints of not being paid or being underpaid. For example some staff working on traffic control during the recent cruise ship visits were not paid for over a month. Nine were not paid at all and left on mass.

3. Staff working on rugby matches going for up to six hours without a break.

4. Lack of training. Supervisors complain they are continually training new staff at Eden Park who have no security background whatever.

Darien Rush is unfit to hold any contract to provide services for the rugby world cup and Unite is called on RWC organisers to revoke the contract.

This company is not providing security services. It is providing warm bodies in uniform at less than the minimum wage.

Regards,

John Minto

Unite Union Organiser

© Scoop Media