Sheriff’s Officers – Joint Consultative Committee – April 2019 (PDF version)

Thursday, 7 March 2019

The PSA and SOVBAG delegates continue to meet quarterly with the NSW Sheriff Office representatives (the Sheriff) at the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) to resolve issues that are being identified by members.

We aim to send out a bulletin shortly after the JCC meetings to update members on the outcomes of those meetings and action planned by PSA.

The following items were discussed at the meeting:

• Transport and storage of appointments draft policy
• Lockers in Northern region
• Ballistic vest heat and fatigue bulletin
• Staffing/Recruitment update
• Operational Support Unit
• Scanning and security equipment at smaller court locations
• People Matter Employee Survey
• Unscheduled attendance at workplaces by PSA representative without notice
• NCAT security requirements
• Medical certificates – need to disclose nature of illness
• Sheriffs Directive on screening v.s. Screening policy
• SERCO SOP
• Wollongong Sheriff’s Office issues
• Penrith Sheriff’s Office issues
• No communication on training
• Staff in temporary roles offered current vacant on-going roles
• Parking exemptions for Sheriff vehicles
• Explosive detection screening
• Tactical Recertification
• Travel allowance policy and payment of actuals
• Updating intranet

The PSA is happy to provide members with our notes of JCC meetings. Members can request that by contacting Member Support Centre.

Due to the number of items discussed we believe the following are of interest to members.

• NCAT security requirements

When are Sheriffs required to provide security for NCAT proceedings? The Sheriff agreed to look at the NCAT Bulletin, to attempt to make it clearer for staff.

• Operational Support Unit

The Sheriff advised an ‘Operational Support Unit’ is being established to assist with high-risk situations. Members will be recruited from Sheriff’s Officers by EOI who will complete a week of training. We raised concerns about leaving locations short due to officers being pulled from Court locations especially in regional areas. The Sheriff could not provide an answer or solution but advised ‘more detail to come in the future’.

• Transport and storage of appointments

The Sheriff advised that advice has been received from NSW Police, Firearms Registry regarding storage of appointments. A draft Storage of Appointments policy has been circulated to SOVBAG for comment. Courts will receive lockable boxes to carry and store appointments whilst travelling to and from locations.

• Staffing/Recruitment update

There are two (with the possibility of three) recruitment classes from July 2019. The first intake is aimed to fill regional locations. For both regional and metropolitan locations there is approximately 45 new officers in total.

• Wollongong dispute

The PSA is in an industrial dispute about the storage of appointments and travel between Wollongong court and satellite courts. The formal hearing at the Industrial Relations Commission is on 2 and 3 May 2019.

Further updates

The next JCC is on Thursday 13 June 2019. Your union will continue to update members by bulletin and by visiting workplaces.

If you would like to arrange a meeting at your workplace please email Glenn Duncan

Flex time

Sheriff’s Officers at certain courts have raised they are being rostered on set shifts. This stops the accrual of flex time. This is against the spirit of the flex agreement. Stopping flex-time accruing prevents work-life balance. Any Sheriff’s Officers witnessing this at their court should contact the PSA immediately on 1300 772 679.

As always the PSA welcomes member’s feedback. Should you have any questions or comments please contact your delegate firstly and if required the PSA.

Your PSA/SOVBAG Delegates are:

Eddie Lia – Campbelltown Court

Daniel De La Paz – Downing Centre

Stephen Hancock – Downing Centre

Glen Elliot-Rudder – Wagga Wagga

Joe Saffour – Wagga Wagga

Monique Muir – Coffs Harbour

Your PSA staff:

Andrew Boulton – PSA Industrial Officer

Glenn Duncan – PSA Organiser

What can you do?

• Give a copy of this bulletin to your colleagues.
• Print this bulletin and put it up on your notice board.
• Ask a colleague to join the PSA.
• Get involved as your Area Contact

Not a member? Join online – www.psa.asn.au/join

Members can update their details at – membership.psa.asn.au