The UK’s new Employment Rights Act 2025 is about to change the game for security workers. If you’re on a zero-hours contract, feel underpaid, or have never even considered joining a union, this one’s for you.
In this blog, we break down three things every security professional needs to know:
- How the new UK union law makes it easier for workers to organise and negotiate from April 2026
- A real example of security guards at the Bank of England who used their union to win an 4% pay rise and better conditions, and
- What’s changing with zero-hours contracts in 2027 that could finally bring stability to your working hours.
These aren’t distant policy changes; they directly affect your security guard rights, your pay, and your day-to-day working life. Let’s get into it.
A New Era for Unions and Workers’ Rights
The landscape of work in the UK is undergoing its biggest shake-up in decades. The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a raft of changes designed to “make work pay” and give workers a stronger voice. According to analysis in publications like The Economist, the new rules will fundamentally alter the balance of power between employers and employees.
One of the biggest changes, which comes into effect on 6 April 2026, is that the process for a trade union to be officially recognised in a workplace will be simplified. Previously, unions faced high hurdles to gain the right to negotiate on behalf of workers. The new law lowers this threshold, making it easier for a union to get a seat at the table and start negotiating for better terms, even in workplaces where union membership has been low.
Recommended Reading: What Security Guards Can & Can’t Do in the UK
Does It Actually Work? Just Ask the Bank of England’s Security Team
Wondering what difference a union can actually make? Look no further than the recent victory by security officers at the Bank of England. In November 2025, forty Unite the Union members working for Amulet Security were initially told they would be offered no pay rise, which was followed by a low offer that was rejected.
After they voted for strike action, the result was a resounding success. As Unite the Union reported, the strike was called off after the workers accepted an “excellent” deal: a 4% pay rise backdated to March 2025, another 4% from March 2026, and an extra day of annual leave. Crucially, the employer also agreed to formally recognise Unite for future collective bargaining.
This is a perfect example of how collective action can achieve tangible results that would be nearly impossible for an individual to secure on their own. It shows that when security professionals stand together, they can win. Curious about what security workers are actually earning in 2026? The gap between what officers deserve and what they’re paid is exactly why stories like this matter.
Recommended Reading: Economics of Security Wages
Tackling the Dreaded Zero-Hours Contract
The new employment laws aren’t just about pay. They also take aim at the insecure working conditions that have become all too common in the security sector. For many, zero-hours contracts security work means unpredictable schedules and fluctuating income, making it difficult to plan your life.
Coming into effect in 2027, the Employment Rights Act will give workers on zero-hours and low-hours contracts the right to guaranteed working hours if they want them. While the exact date in 2027 has not yet been announced, this change, combined with new rights to reasonable notice of shifts and compensation for cancelled shifts, will bring much-needed stability. It’s a direct challenge to the worst aspects of insecure work, and it’s a huge step forward for security guard rights.
For anyone working in or considering a career in retail security, this means the prospect of more stable and fairly compensated employment is on the horizon.
What This All Means for You
So here’s the bottom line: from April 2026, it’ll be easier than ever for security workers to unionise and negotiate collectively. The Bank of England team already proved what’s possible: an 4% pay rise, an extra day off, and formal union recognition. And from 2027, zero-hours contract workers will have the right to guaranteed hours, fair notice, and compensation for cancelled shifts. The security industry is changing, and these new laws mean you have more power than ever to shape your working conditions.
But it all starts with being qualified. Your SIA licence is the foundation. It proves you have the skills, the knowledge, and the commitment to be a trusted professional.
Whether you’re looking to become a licensed door supervisor, security guard, or CCTV operator, you can book your course with Get Licensed and get qualified with confidence.
Find a course near you and book today to lock in your training and step into your security career.
