Striking security guards based at the Job Centre in Hull say they frequently deal with threats and physical violence and believe they deserve to be paid more.

GMB union said security workers are striking over a below-inflation pay offer from their employer G4S - although the company disputes this. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) who contract G4S for security at its Job Centres said payments to benefits claimants are unaffected.

Alan Cartwright, 69, a security guard and union representative, said: "We have actually been on limited increases for many years now and we've been just going backwards we are not actually managing to live very well.

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"When it comes to it, inflation has taken over and we are still on the minimum wage. Quite frankly, it's a dangerous job at times. It could be a case of getting people spitting at us, some of our customers have got transferable diseases, and it's not unusual for us to be punched or have attempts to be stabbed.

"We just want a fair crack of the whip really. It's hard work and it's getting busier. This is the biggest Job Centre in the country and it might be bad news that they've [service users] been given, their payments have been withdrawn or whatever else. It's down to us to try and keep the peace which is not an easy task with some people."

Peter Pritchard, 58, a security guard and union representative, said: "The strike is necessary because we are underpaid and undervalued for what we are doing. We are not just out to protect the people in the DWP, we have got to protect our colleagues.

"The majority of the general public do actually come and do what they need to do and leave. But we do get those that are aggressive - they've either got mental health issues or an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

"We also get releases from the prison system and they've got a bone to chew on if they haven't got what they want. They are kicking off - they want their money and they want it now. We have had them threaten us and knives coming in."

Explaining why he feels they ought to be paid more, Alan added: "There are two types of security guard - 'gorillas' who are just responding when things go wrong and then there's us who actually try and talk to people and try to calm them down and resolve their issues. It's not just an ordinary job, it does take a lot of thought."

Hull Live understands G4S made a pay offer in April 2024 that is a 6.5% pay rise from April 2023 and an average 9.3% rise from December 2023 to April 2024 and union members have not yet been balloted over whether or not to accept it.

In response to the strikes, a G4S spokesperson said: "We urge the GMB to present our offer to our employees, which is above minimum wage and inflation. We want to give our staff a pay rise and the GMB is holding this up.

"Our dedicated security colleagues do a great job and support an essential public service, sometimes in difficult circumstances. The majority of our staff have not been on strike."