For the first time in at least 3 years, security patrol staff from First Security Guard Services walked off the job last Tuesday from 7:30pm in protest against the company's offer during pay negotiations.

Company management arrived at the Unite offices, where security cars were lining the street, their occupants inside refusing to respond to the alarms going off around a rainy Auckland City.

The company promised a pay offer by lunchtime the following day and the guards went back to work at 8:30pm.

"It was impressive how quickly the workers got a renewed offer from the company when they took it upon themselves to carry out industrial action," says Unite security organiser, John Minto.

The offer came through and discussions have continued since then.

First Security staff in Auckland are meeting this Saturday morning at 6.30am to discuss the company's latest offer and Unite members in Wellington and Christchurch will be discussing the offer in the next few days.

Icon Security followed suit and have improved their offer. Negotiations continue with this company.