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Undervalued, Understaffed, Underpaid: NSWSHO FULL DAY INDUSTRIAL ACTION Results

  16 August 2024

Yesterday, members across the State stood united in their calls to be valued, staffed appropriately and fairly paid for the important duties they perform. This industrial campaign began 6 weeks ago with a 2-hour stoppage across the Hunter/North region and has now gathered momentum and spread across the entire State.

Yesterday’s action was a success, and gained a lot of media attention and we thank our members for making that happen.

A reminder for members who participated to record their absence on MWZ using code 0851 – Industrial Action.

Across the day a number of motions were passed. Firstly, members in Metro and Greater Metro regions passed the following motions:

MOTION 1:         The members of the Sheriff’s Office Vocational Branch Advisory Group (SOVBAG), Metro and Greater Metro regions fully support the resolution passed by the Executive Committee on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

The “Uplift” process undertaken so far has dragged on for far too long and is unacceptable.

We demand that the Government engage with our union representatives and provide a long-awaited offer. Further, we demand that the Sheriff’s Office furnish a copy of the business case.

We support any and all action from members across the state, and encourage our colleagues in the sub-branches to meet, consider, and implement any actions that they deem fit.

MOTION 2:         Effective immediately – take the following action(s) which will not cease until our demands are met, and reserve the right to meet, consider and implement further actions at a future date if necessary.

1. Display association notices around screening points and counters.
2. Chalking of fixed perimeter equipment (Perspex) Screens and Departmental vehicles.

Note – Contact your local delegate or ɫ������representative for advice on obtaining the correct chalking equipment to avoid damage and ensure the messaging is approved by the PSA.

3. Decline to issue any new Certificates of Authority to security contractors.
4. Conduct security screening only at permanent perimeter screening points.

Note – if there is a credible security threat, or if members have any concerns about their safety or the safety of others, you should exercise your discretion and powers to conduct whatever search is necessary.

5. Decline to work:
   1. At any location without 2 Sheriff’s Officers present and at any location where there are less than 3 Sheriff’s Officers on a permanent scanner.
   2. More than 7 hours, unless directed to perform overtime. *PLEASE NOTE, AT THIS STAGE THIS WORK BAN WILL NOT APPLY TO MEMBERS EMPLOYED UNDER THE SHERIFFS OPERATIONS CENTRE SHIFT WORK AGREEMENT 2018, THIS WILL BE REVISED FURTHER OVER THE COMING WEEK*
   3. At any location which requires overnight accommodation to be arranged.
   4. At any location which requires excess travel on weekends.
   5. At any location outside of their region.
   6. Any field enforcement duties including; carrying out evictions, serving documents and enforcing writs for the levy of property.

Secondly members in Hunter/North, West/South West and Illawarra/South regions revised their work bans. For an abundance of clarity, the following work bans are in effect across these regions:

1. Display association notices around screening points and counters.
2. Chalking of fixed perimeter equipment (Perspex) Screens and Departmental vehicles.

Note – Contact your local delegate or ɫ������representative for advice on obtaining the correct chalking equipment to avoid damage and ensure the messaging is approved by the PSA.

3. Decline to issue any new Certificates of Authority to security contractors.
4. Conduct security screening only at permanent perimeter screening points.

Note – if there is a credible security threat, or if members have any concerns about their safety or the safety of others, you should exercise your discretion and powers to conduct whatever search is necessary.

5. Decline to work:
   1. At any location without 2 Sheriff’s Officers present.
   2. More than 7 hours, unless directed to perform overtime.
   3. At any location which requires overnight accommodation to be arranged.
   4. At any location which requires excess travel on weekends.
   5. At any location outside of their region.
   6. Any field enforcement duties including; carrying out evictions, serving documents and enforcing writs for the levy of property.

You deserve respect for what you do.

You deserve adequate staffing levels.

You deserve fair pay.

There is power in a union, and that power is best shown when members are willing to stand up and fight back when their rights are under attack. Members across the State yesterday made it crystal clear that enough is enough. They are no longer going to accept being UNDERVALUED, UNDERSTAFFED and UNDERPAID.