The Supreme Court today ruled in favour of the security guards, for their claims against security companies to be consolidated.

The companies had sought to have the guards’ claims heard individually.

The matter stems from a previous court judgement that guards are employees, not independent contractors.

Companies then issued controversial contracts which deprived the guards of tenure for years of service and related benefits.

The management of some security companies told the guards that in order to continue working they had to sign contracts.

Guards who refused to sign, were reportedly not allowed to work.

The Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees (Ucase) which has been lobbying on the guards behalf, because they are not unionised, assisted with mounting the legal challenge to the contracts.

Attorney at law Leonard Green who represented the guards said the court decided on 2 aspects of the case today.

In the first aspect, the court determined that the guards claims be consolidated.

In the other aspect, the court declined an application for a class action suit, because the Security Guards Task Force has not yet been registered.

He said they will return to court on September 5, for case management.

And, Ucase President Vincent Morrison welcomed the court’s decision today, describing it as a victory for the affected guards.