Health Sciences Centre guards picket over job dangers

Security guards at Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre picketed on Tuesday to call attention to what they call dangerous working conditions, poor wages and high turnover.

There are 80 security staff at Manitoba's largest hospital and about half of them have quit over the last five years due to work stress, said Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU) president Michelle Gawronsky.

Guards are involved in physical altercations and must confiscate weapons on a daily basis, she said.

Last year the staff dealt with 5,500 incidents, "which include both physical and sexual assaults, suicide attempts, threats, vandalism and arson, just to name a few," Gawronsky said.

"They're wrestling knives out of people's hands. Someone with a mental disability or a mental illness, their strength is unbelievable when they're in a state [and] our security officers are the ones who actually look after these people and try to bring them down and calm them down."

Staff want better wages and proper training and equipment for their jobs, she said.

"All these folks are asking for is to be treated fairly and reasonably, be given the wages that other folks get, be recognized for the safety that they provide to staff, Winnipeggers and patients as well," said Gawronsky.

Officials with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying it is important for their staff to feel safe at work, and they are "committed to ensure employees feel they have the skills and support they need to perform their jobs effectively."

Officials said they are aware of the union's concerns and those issues are being discussed at the bargaining table.