Sheriff’s officers strike in fight for better pay and conditions, affecting operations at 44 NSW courts

Sheriff’s officers across the state’s western region have walked off the job, arguing they deserve more for putting their lives “on the line”. Here’s what they’re after.

Hundreds of sheriff’s officers have walked off the job in western NSW as part of their fight for better pay and conditions, arguing the current state of play is “just not on”.

About 44 courts were affected for between two hours and the full working day on Wednesday as sheriff’s officers put down tools in regional areas including major hubs like Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga.

Stewart Little, general secretary of the union representing the sheriff’s officers, said they were told the dispute would be resolved in 2024 budget.

“Sheriffs need a solid pay bump to reflect the dangerous work they do,” Mr Little said.

“When enforcing court orders, they’ll be entering people’s properties wearing stab-proof vests, carrying capsicum spray, batons and handcuffs.

Public Service Association member Lachlan Good speaks to media in front of Dubbo courthouse. Picture: Tijana Birdjan

“Sheriffs put their lives on the line in courthouses to make sure judges, lawyers and members of the public are safe from crooks and criminals, yet they are paid the same as people with desk jobs and administration roles at the courthouse. It’s just not on.”

Six sheriffs fronted media outside Dubbo courthouse on Wednesday morning, holding signs that said they were “undervalued, understaffed and underpaid”.

Dubbo sheriff's officers on an industrial strike over poor pay and staffing issues. Picture: Tijana Birdjan

Operations were also affected at smaller courts in the western region, including in Bourke, Cobar, Nyngan, Warren, Narromine, Wellington and other rural areas.

Public Service Association member Lachlan Good said the NSW Office of the Sheriff “promised” workers in 2022 there would be an increase in pay, however, NSW Government did not deliver in its most recent budget.

“We’re expecting about 44 courthouses today will have to shut down all or some of their operations, but that’s just a fraction of the impact that the understaffing has caused by low wages for sheriff’s officers,” Mr Good said.

“Sheriff’s officers across the region are essential to the operation of the court system.

“You can’t really operate a court safely unless you have an appropriate staffing level of sheriff’ officers.

“Just like nurses in the public sector, just like teachers in the public sector, sheriff’s officers are essential workers, and we can’t have a justice system without them.”

The first industrial action occurred outside courthouses in Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Lismore, Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Tamworth a fortnight ago.

Strikes are set to continue until sheriff’s officers and the NSW Government reach an agreement.

Senior sheriff's officer Pagen Hockley speaks to media in front of Dubbo courthouse. Picture: Tijana Birdjan

Senior Dubbo sheriff’s officer Pagen Hockley said in 2022, she worked away from home for 28 out of 42 working weeks.

“We want to be fairly compensated for the time we are putting into this job,” Ms Hockley said.

“We’re having to evict people from their houses, seeing them in the worst states of their lives, then there are other incidences where sheriff’s officers have had to assist the police in unfortunately finding deceased individuals.

“There are a lot of things sheriff’s officers do which we are not compensated for.”