Unite and MOD reach contract deal for Defence Guards, defusing industrial concerns

Unite the Union and Ministry of Defence Gibraltar reach agreement on OMEC Contract Agreement for staff in the Defence Guards Service, defusing industrial unrest among officers who provide security for the MOD estate on the Rock.

MOD Guards took selective industrial action last September over fears that the change to OMEC contracts for new entrants could create a two-tier workforce and lead to a larger workload and longer shift patterns.

But Unite said it had reached an agreement that would ensure both existing staff in the Defence Guards Service as well as new members of staff on the new OMEC contract would have their terms and conditions protected going forwards, with both sets of contracts being able to work amicably alongside each other.

The agreement has now been included within the Book of Differences within MOD Gibraltar to safeguard all those within the Defence Guards Service for the foreseeable future.

Sam Hennessy, Regional Officer for Unite the Union, said: “This agreement gives both existing staff and new staff entering the DGS on the OMEC contract the necessary assurances that their terms and conditions will be respected and not come into conflict with one another.”

“Furthermore, the agreement ensures that any proposed changes in the future will be subject to consultation and agreement across all stakeholders.”

“By having the agreement formally implemented into the Book of Differences within MOD Gibraltar is a great success for our members and for the Defence Guards Service in Gibraltar who play an essential role in the day to day operations across the Defence Estate.”

“The union is pleased to have been able to reach a negotiated resolution with the MOD to this contentious issue.”

“As a union we will continue to support our members across the Ministry of Defence to protect terms and conditions.”