AGENCY security guards at a Southampton hospital celebrated victory yesterday after winning greatly improved pay and protection from attacks.

The 21 Unite members at Southampton General Hospital, who are employed by contractor Mitie, accepted a management deal that guarantees a higher wages, improved sick pay arrangements and new personal protective equipment (PPE).

There will be a 14.5 per cent increase for security officers, backdated to May 1, which takes their pay to £9.50 an hour.

Workers injured on the job will also be entitled to up to three months’ full pay, followed by three months’ half-pay – a 500 per cent increase on the current arrangements.

The staff have also gained the right to wear stab vests as part of their PPE.

Earlier this year, staff went on strike after repeatedly complaints that they were not issued with appropriate PPE when dealing with members of the public who have drug, drink or mental health problems.

Staff said that this lack appropriate protection put them at the risk of serious injury and, if they suffered an attack, there was inadequate sick pay to cover them while off work.

The changes are expected to be phased in by 2021.

Unite south-east health lead officer Scott Kemp said: “We regard this as an important victory which demonstrates the strong solidarity shown by our members during this long-running dispute and also, more widely, the support they received from the local community.

“We hope this settlement heralds a new era of constructive employment relations with Mitie Security going forward.”