Frustrated NSW sheriffs walk off job on Thursday protesting poor pay, staffing ‘crisis’

Sheriffs statewide have walked off the job, complaining they’re struggling to make ends meet. One worker worries “it’s only a matter of time before we’re called out to evict somebody we work with”.

Sheriffs statewide complaining of struggling to pay the rent and other bills while working in a risky environment have rallied for better pay and conditions outside NSW courthouses.

Sheriffs marched to the steps wearing matching white T-shirts emblazoned with ‘the public sector needs a pay rise’.

The workers held signs while chanting in protest during the Public Service Association action.

“Undervalued, understaffed, underpaid – end the games,” they cried.

Lismore Court House. Picture: Savannah Pocock

Protests took place outside Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Lismore, Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Tamworth courthouses from 8.30am to 10.30am.

Some court houses, including Lismore, were forced to open late, according to the Department of Communities and Justice.

While sheriffs are well-known for providing general court security, they also enforce writs, warrants and orders issued by the various NSW courts.

This protest comes as sheriffs are marking 200 years as the longest serving law enforcement agency in the nation.

The union’s regional organiser Rebecca Reilly said outside Lismore Court House that sheriffs feel undervalued and there was not enough staff on hand.

Regional organiser for the Public Service Association (PSA) Rebecca Reilly outside Lismore Court House. Picture: Savannah Pocock

“They risk their lives to protect magistrates, lawyers and the general public and they’re not paid enough to do it,” she said.

Stewart Little, general secretary of the union, said in mid 2022 there was an agency restructure and the senior leadership of the Office of the Sheriff got a significant pay bump – but a review into sheriff pay was not released.

Ms Reilly said workers want the state government to come back to the negotiation table and offer more substantial incentives.

“If we don’t get what we want, we will continue industrial action,” she said.

“We started with a two-hour stop work, we’ll then lead to increased hours stop work.”

Lismore delegate and sheriff trainer Todd Yates said sheriffs want to receive deserved recognition for dealing with dangerous people and situations.

Lismore delegate and sheriff trainer Todd Yates. Picture: Savannah Pocock

“We wear the stab proof vest and we are clearly marked as NSW sheriffs – we do get confused with police,” he said.

Mr Yates said sheriff numbers were declining and people were opting to join police instead.

At Coffs Harbour, sheriff Darcy Crosby said he was worried it was only a matter of time before the eviction notice he goes to serve is too close for comfort.

“It feels like it’s only a matter of time before we’re called out to evict somebody we work with,” he said.

“The hardest part is trying to make ends meet while the cost of everything is going up.”

Coffs Harbour sheriff Darcy Crosby. Picture: Toni Moon

Mr Crosby has been working in the Coffs Harbour Sheriff Office for a year and joined the action.

Mr Crosby told NewsLocal he was lucky he rented through a friend, but was concerned about co-workers struggling to pay the bills.

One of only two female sheriffs in the Coffs Harbour team, Jane Donovan, said it was a tough gig for a single parent.

Sheriffs Jane Donovan and Lyndall De Vries outside Coffs Harbour Court House. Picture: Toni Moon

“ … it’s a struggle on this wage and I only do it because I really love the job,” she said.

“I go without so that my children can have the things that they need, basically that’s what it comes down to.”

Colleague Lyndall De Vries has been a sheriff for more than three years and loves the role, but said she was struggling.

“Just the rent alone eats up most of my wage,” she said.

“None of us want one of our workmates knocking on our door because we can’t pay bills.”

Both sheriffs said the role was much larger than anyone knows and includes serving divorce papers, eviction notices and bank foreclosures – which can become dangerous.

“I think it’s only fair in this day and age that when we’re asked to put on a ballistic vest and carry weapons that we’re remunerated accordingly,” Ms De Vries said.

Coffs Harbour's sheriffs. Picture: Toni Moon

A Department of Communities and Justice spokesperson said the NSW Sheriff’s Office was working with the Public Service Association (PSA) of NSW to resolve the industrial issue.

“NSW Sheriffs have been offered a 10.5 per cent pay rise, including super, over three years,” they said.

“The two-hour stop work means courthouses in that area may need to delay opening, potentially up to a few hours later than the normal time of 9am.

“The Sheriff’s Office has contingency plans in place to reduce any impacts on courts, where possible.”

Negotiations between the Sheriff’s Office and the PSA are ongoing.