Sheriffs across state protest for better pay, conditions as work action sparks delays in jam-packed regional NSW courts

Sheriffs statewide – who say they’re sick of “promise after promise” – have ramped up protests, resulting in “regrettable” delays and closures at busy regional courthouses. Find out more.

Sheriffs across the state have ramped up protests for more pay and better conditions – which has been resulting in “regrettable” delays and closures at busy regional courthouses.

Sheriffs statewide first rallied outside courthouses on July 4, complaining of struggling to pay the rent and other bills while working in a risky environment.

Hunter Valley and North Coast workers, in particular, have been continuing workplace action.

This includes limiting their security screening and openly displaying Public Service Association (PSA) signage at courts.

Sheriffs protesting outside the Coffs Harbour Court on July 4. Picture: Toni Moon

Workers have also chalked removable protest messages on perimeter equipment and departmental cars – “undervalued, understaffed, underpaid” – to alert the public to ongoing protests.

Sheriffs have been declining to work without two officers present. They have also been refusing to work more than seven hours each day (unless directed) or at locations where overnight stays would be needed.

PSA spokesman Nathan Bradshaw said the sheriffs would not cease action until demands were met.

A number of regional NSW courts that have been impacted by the sheriffs’ industrial action. Picture: File

“Sheriff officers have tried to play by the rules for more than two years now and they’ve been given promise after promise,” he told this publication.

He said the NSW Sheriff’s Office “agreed sheriffs aren’t getting paid enough and want to increase their wages, but for more than two years now nothing has happened”.

“Sheriffs are at breaking point, that’s why they’re taking this action, which regrettably affects members of the public,” he said.

Mr Bradshaw claimed sheriffs offices across the Hunter Valley and North Coast regions were operating at just “10 per cent” and jobs could not be filled because the “pay is too low”.

A notice of a temporary reduced court hours at Coffs Harbour Local Court. Picture: Toni Moon

“As long as this regional action is going on, a number of regional courts will continue to be closed if two sheriffs can’t be on site,” he explained.

Mr Bradshaw said industrial action would force Coffs Harbour Local Court to finish early from July 22 to July 26, at 3.45pm, for example.

There are 300 sheriffs working across the state and it’s understood about 95 per cent of northern officers have joined the industrial action.

The Department of Communities and Justice was contacted for comment and a spokesperson confirmed courts were not proceeding with cases without sheriffs present.