The Army at the Olympics

[Carol M]

So they are having to get the army (3,500) in to bolster up security because the private firm they employed has let them down with staff numbers.

It's going to cost the government £20 million. This at the same the government are making lads redundant from the army to cut costs.

I think it's ridiculous but on the other hand if the private firm have messed up, the army was probably the only way they could turn to get a professional body that they didn't have to train in such a short time.

These lads are being told their jobs are at risk and some of them have been made redundant from the job they are trained to do and they are having to go do a security persons job at the Olympics.

What's your thoughts?

 

[markeg]

Heard a rumour the other day... British Troops threaten to strike over cuts announced recently. The government have said that fuel tanker drivers, fire fighters, ambulance drivers and bin men will be trained to replace soldiers on the front line................

Carlsberg don't do rumours but if they did!!!!

 

[Carol M]

 

[The Moo]

I heard on the radio at lunchtime that part of G4S' problem is that they are struggling to get their recruits security cleared. I understand that responsibility for issuing security clearances lies with a Government Dept which is likely to have had its workforce culled to fund the deficit without any one at the top really thinking through the consequences. Now they have an influx of work which they cannot cope with.

Seems like a bit of a governmental own goal to me….

Whilst it is not a great situation for the Army I can’t help thinking that there could be worse deployments than London 2012 and I think Joe Public will have a warm comfy feeling knowing that security is being provided by professionals and not hired help

 

[Taz]

I would like to think the private company would be a fined for breach of contract. Any cost to the government (us) should be reimbursed. Fat chance

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[markeg]

Whilst it is not a great situation for the Army I can’t help thinking that there could be worse deployments than London 2012 and I think Joe Public will have a warm comfy feeling knowing that security is being provided by professionals and not hired help

+1 agree, but for the guys, if its just manning turnstiles, its not exactly scintillating work. Also not really cost-effective usage of their training.... Expect they will be given the really crap jobs, not the cushy ones.

 

[Carol M]

I heard on the radio at lunchtime that part of G4S' problem is that they are struggling to get their recruits security cleared.

That's exactly what it is. Mr M told me last week this was going to happen as someone 'in the know' told him.

 

[mrlozzer]

I would like to think the private company would be a fined for breach of contract. Any cost to the government (us) should be reimbursed.

Unlikely. G4S would most likely go against the wall, leaving us with huge holes in security in other areas... government wouldn't risk that happening.

How - with 6 years planning - can this happen? We are in danger of becoming a laughing stock, or worse, in a few weeks....

 

[marchantsuk]

I would like to think the private company would be a fined for breach of contract. Any cost to the government (us) should be reimbursed. Fat chance

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I think they will be in breech of contract, could be a pretty hefty fine. At least we now know the quality of security will be high and not a bunch of un qualified people who G4 plucked off the streets. (I'm sure they also have competent people too)

 

[Carol M]

They hadn't ordered enough security fencing either apparently.

 

[The Moo]

I heard on the radio at lunchtime that part of G4S' problem is that they are struggling to get their recruits security cleared.

That's exactly what it is. Mr M told me last week this was going to happen as someone 'in the know' told him.

Some years ago I used to have involvement with the recruitment of Civilian personnel in Defence. We lost so many good candidates because of getting security clearance through. It is a very in depth process and sometimes could take months as numerous enquiries have to be made. When someone applies for a job, particularly if they haven't currently got one, they cannot afford to hang around and generally find other work.

Can't think that given the current state of alert that the process is any quicker.

 

[SUUNTOBOB]

The Army's role is to protect the nation, by having the Olympics here we invite terroists to cause mayem to support their causes, Surely our Army are better than private companies.
You would'nt buy a Z4 and then rent an MX5 for a track day would you?

 

[Woots]

Im more concerned about overseas activities ruining my plans of a first decent trip with work (ignoring my month working really hard in vegas)

:|

 

[LeeME3]

G4S will be paid the full amount. The previous government signed a contract with them to that effect.

The Forces, however, will do most of the hard work and, due to their 'can do' attitude, it will work. Then the current government (just to prove I'm not being party political) will continue to deploy them overseas in breach of the agreed harmony guidelines, will continue to cut their already limited benefits package and will continue their pay freeze / 1% pay rise.

It was ever thus and it always will be. We lean on the good to feather the nests of the bad.

 

[Stuart Truman]

On the Today program, some gov minister said they would not get paid for guards they didn't supply. Weasel words meaning they'll probably pay them via another route

Wouldn't it be nice if they paid the troops who have lost their leave to do this, the money that G4S would have got (gross, not net) as a "thanks and apologies for effing up your leave". A fair few of these troops will be under redundancy notices, just back from a tour, or just about to leave for a tour they might not come back from.

Still, don't worry. David's sports day will carry on and they'll all be driving around in their VIP lanes (ignoring the multi million pound overhauled public transport) while the rest of us can't take in decent photography gear, or drinks over 100ml for "sponsorship" sorry, Security reasons.

Like most people, I shall watch the opening and the events I am interested in and will be rooting for our team. But if anyone would like to mis-throw a javelin and poke any passing politician involved in this farce right in the arse I will applaud you. (note to security services - That was a joke, OK)

 

[Nathanhu]

I left the forces last year, after finishing just over 22 years, i can’t tell you how low the morale is right now…
With whole units just last week being notified that they are being disbanded and the manpower either given redundancy or told to move to new locations ( Scotland!)
Most of Germany's forces will be moving before 2015 ,but while you are here can you just squeeze one last tour of Afghanistan... and then bugger off!!

I think that the guys who will do the security work will have just got back from an Op tour, as the rest of the manpower will be training to go out on the next cycle.
And I think most of them would rather boil their own heads than help out the government, that has royally shafted them ... yet again..

Yours aye
Happily ex forces

 

[marchantsuk]

So the Olympics are underway (for the security ) and guess what.... G4 guards have failed to turn up for work. Now the CEO is being grilled by the Commons Select Committee and has no answers. He is supposed to deliver 13,000 guards and currently has around 3,500!

Maybe when he's dismissed he can apply to be a guard. What a shambles :thumbsdown:

 

[Drshemming]

Why don't those London investment bankers act as security guards for the Olympics, half of them have been told to stay at home anyway because of congestion, and most of them need security clearance to work in banking, it would be lovely to see all those pinstriped suited w*nkers actually working for a living. The Soldiers could have their leave, G4S could pay the banks for their staff, who in turn could pay us back for all the loans. Sorted

 

[mrlozzer]

Why don't those London investment bankers act as security guards for the Olympics, half of them have been told to stay at home anyway because of congestion, and most of them need security clearance to work in banking, it would be lovely to see all those pinstriped suited w*nkers actually working for a living. The Soldiers could have their leave, G4S could pay the banks for their staff, who in turn could pay us back for all the loans. Sorted

Well thought through..!

 

[Carol M]

Why don't those London investment bankers act as security guards for the Olympics, half of them have been told to stay at home anyway because of congestion, and most of them need security clearance to work in banking, it would be lovely to see all those pinstriped suited w*nkers actually working for a living. The Soldiers could have their leave, G4S could pay the banks for their staff, who in turn could pay us back for all the loans. Sorted

Well thought through..!

X 2 Well said. Some of the lads who are having to police the olympics have just come back from a tour in Afghan and have had their leave cancelled. Bloody outrageous.....can feel a rant coming on so will shut up but you get the gist.... :x