Court Officers’ Bulletin, July 2007

My name is Richard Wilson, and to those who don't know me I am the current Secretary of the Court Officers Vocational Advisory Group (COVAG). I am located at the Downing Centre in Sydney. This group was formed in 2006 by the PSA. The current executive of COVAG consists of: -

• Garry Babbington (Chair) - Penrith
• Richard Wilson (Sec) - Downing Centre
• Lorraine Welsh (Delegate) - Downing Centre
• Lorraine Yewdall (Delegate) - Downing Centre
• Paul Sier (Delegate) - Darlinghurst
• There are 3 vacancies.

My previous report on setting up the COVAG is on the PSA website at http://psa.labor.net.au/news/1154070224_5362.html

Future reports will be posted in the "AG Agencies" section of the website, either as news items or bulletins. Members will be advised of progress of issues raised with management and any information relevant to the restructure of Court Officers within the District Court precinct within New South Wales.

Discussions with Court Services

As far as COVAG is concerned, it is unfortunate that it has taken so long for me to obtain a list of current members of the PSA - but hopefully, now that this has been achieved we hope to keep you informed as to matters concerning us.

I would like you to correspond with me, or any other member of the executive (listed above) if you wish to raise any issues that are of concern to you or your colleagues. The COVAG Executive meet the 1st Thursday of every month and meet every three months with the Sheriff (Gary Byles) - these quarterly meetings are called Joint Consultative Committee Meetings (known as JCC). The next meeting - 16 August 07.

The majority of issues raised at JCC meetings in the past have dealt mainly with local issues associated with the Downing Centre complex. I have been concerned that issues outside of the Downing Centre have not been noted and addressed. I hope that we can now address this shortfall - so please correspond with us so that we (the executive) can represent you. It is important for me to advise you that the main concerns of COVAG and have been since COVAG was constituted (and reflected in our executive inaugural minutes of 25th May 2006) are:

1. All casual court officers "working fulltime" to be made section 27
2. Court Officers Award to reflect "casuals" as receiving 1/12th Annual Leave Loading
3. Allowances for Technological Skills
4. Position Description and Grade
5. Preparation of Standard Operational Procedures manual (SOPS)

In addition to the above, Garry Babbington and I have met informally with Gary Byles (Sheriff) and Michael Baldi (Asst Director Human Resources) on the 28th June 2007 to discuss the "future role of Court Officers" at the Downing Centre. Management are looking at submitting to Court Officers a Position Description (PD) to be forwarded to Human Resources for verification. This PD will then be assessed by Human Resources for a grade rating.

Our informal meeting also initially addressed the scope and issues associated with the employment status of Court Officers. Any change to employment if offered, would more than likely contain an element of "security type" work. Such skills would be obtained through a training course with a formal training provider.

We have agreed to meet again on Thursday July 26th to look at a draft of the Court Officer Position Description at the Downing Centre and to further issues related to the "future role" of the Court Officer at the Downing Centre. I will keep you informed as to any outcomes.

As stated previously, I apologise for the so called lack of communication and feedback to members and colleagues from meetings held BUT hopefully now we can move forward. Please advise me, by email, if you are no longer a Court Officer so that I can update my member list.