Security personnel at a holiday destination in West Sussex have initiated industrial action due to concerns regarding safety protocols.

The walkout at Butlin’s Bognor commenced on Friday, coinciding with one of the busiest periods of the year when visitor numbers were anticipated to exceed 5,000.

Members of the United Voices of the World trade union participated in the strike over an ongoing disagreement centred on measures intended to protect both guests and employees.

According to those involved in the action, repeated requests for improvements to safety procedures have reportedly gone unheeded by the resort’s management team.

The holiday complex rejected the union’s characterisation of lawful contingency arrangements, maintaining that such protocols exist to enable the venue to function securely.

A company representative indicated that out of a workforce comprising approximately 1,000 individuals, only 19 employees assigned to resort safety duties had supported the strike.

Among those participating in the action was a 24-year-old security team member from Bognor, identified only as Adam.

According to his account, staff members believed they had not received equitable treatment from the company.

The employee explained that reservations existed regarding both their own wellbeing and that of visitors during what was expected to be an exceptionally busy period, with nearly 5,000 overnight guests and an additional 1,000 daytime visitors anticipated across the Bank Holiday weekend.

The worker expressed the view that available support was insufficient for managing such volumes.

The same individual described radio communication equipment as essential to the role, noting that technical difficulties had been reported repeatedly over several years.

He outlined that responses to various situations, ranging from altercations to medical emergencies and occasionally fatalities, were handled on a weekly basis, and the potential failure of communication devices could have serious consequences.

Ellie Birkett, a visitor from Southampton who had stayed at the resort for a week with her family, described the environment as extremely busy and voiced support for the workforce’s position.

The union has advocated for the recruitment of additional officers, proper maintenance of equipment, and increases to employee remuneration, among other requests.

According to the company, guests are not required to modify their bookings, and planned breaks will proceed as arranged.

It was emphasised that comprehensive measures have been implemented to address the absence of the 19 striking safety personnel within a workforce exceeding 1,000.

The company insisted that guest and staff welfare remains its primary concern and denied any suggestion that the venue presented a hazard.

It was further stated that qualified team members from a centralised security division had been assigned across company locations to provide cover, with all such staff having received appropriate instruction.

The company expressed its commitment to ongoing dialogue with those involved.

Further industrial action is scheduled to take place at the Bognor establishment in the weeks ahead.