After a long PSA campaign, members in the NSW Office of the Sheriff voted overwhelmingly to accept the union-won pay rise and regrading offer from the NSW Government.

The PSA’s Undervalued, Understaffed, Underpaid campaign began to force the NSW Government to acknowledge and respond to the fact that members in the Sheriff’s Office are undervalued by the State Government. The union pointed out its members were often left with a skeleton staff on a daily basis, and not paid an appropriate level for the work they perform.

“Officers working for the Office of the Sheriff perform valuable work for NSW which does not always get the kudos or publicity of other uniformed public servants,” said PSA General Secretary Stewart Little. “But it is work that is essential to the safe running of the state’s crucial institutions.

“Sheriff’s Officers serve legal documents such as summonses and warrants, maintain security within court buildings, and manage the jury system by preparing jury rolls and summoning jurors to serve. They are the law enforcement presence within the court system to ensure its safe operation.
“Despite this, they are one of the lowest paid officers in the NSW public service.”

In August this year, members voted to implement a full day of industrial action across the state. On 15 August PSA members in the Sydney Metro area gathered at the Downing Centre in central Sydney, and members in Parramatta and Liverpool hubs reported to Parramatta District Court. Members in the Penrith turned up to Penrith Courthouse; and regional members attended online industrial meetings.

The action garnered widespread media attention and was featured on prime-time news across the state.

Motions were voted on at meetings which extended industrial action until the government engaged with the PSA on bringing members in NSW Office of the Sheriff up to an appropriate wage. Members displayed PSA signage and information on the campaign at NSW courts, and refused to perform duties unless two Sheriff’s Officers were working. They also declined to issue any new Certificates of Authority to security contractors.

The action brought the employer to the table, and in October, the NSW Government made an offer which the union could take to members to vote on.

The Offer

On top of the public service pay rise, members agreed on the offer and the following uplifts in grade scale:

• Sheriff’s Officer Grade 1/2 to 3/4
• Sergeant Grade 3/4 to 5/6
• Inspector Grade 5 to 7
• Chief Inspector Grade 6 to 8
• Superintendent Grade 7/8 to 9

Other senior officers will also receive an uplift of a full grade.