Court Officers Vocational Advisory Group being formed

A Court Officers Vocational Advisory Group (COVAG) is being formed. An interim committee has been formed and a constitution will go to the August PSA Executive meeting for approval.

Richard Wilson, the pro tem Secretary reports.

COURT OFFICERS VOCATIONAL ADVISORY GROUP (COVAG)

This note is being sent to all Court Officers in the State of New South Wales who are current members of the Public Service Association of NSW (PSA).

In April 2006 the Returning Officer of the PSA sent to all current members, being Court Officers, a letter calling for nominations for Chairperson, Secretary and three Delegates for the new advisory group to be known as Court Officers Vocational Advisory Group.

Only five nominations were received by the Returning Officer for the five positions and the following persons were all elected as being unopposed.

Chairperson: Garry Babbington, Garry_Babbington@agd.nsw.gov.au
Secretary: Richard Wilson, Richard_Wilson@agd.nsw.gov.au
Delegate: Lorraine Welsh, Downing Centre
Delegate: Lorraine Yewdall, Downing Centre
Delegate: Roger Grabowski, Downing Centre

The first meeting of the COVAG group was held on the 25th May 2006 at the Downing Centre and a constitution was established with the help of the PSA Industrial Officer, Garry Harris.

The COVAG committee has also had its first meeting with Gary Byles (Sheriff) on the 15th June 2006. The next meeting is planned for the 22nd August 2006.

The issues covered in the meeting 15th June 2006, were:-

1. All "casual" court officers to be made section 27.
2. Court Officers Award to reflect "casuals" as receiving 1/12th Annual Leave Loading.
3. Differing pay rates for Court Officers.
4. All Court Officers to have email access plus the opportunity to view the Attorney General's website and associated links.
5. Allowances for Technological Skills now used in their workplace.
6. OH&S Issues concerning jurors who are smokers. The placement of new CCTV operating equipment.
7. The requirement of an approved and written Job Description for Court Officers.
8. Miscellaneous Issues relating to the specific running of the Downing Centre District Courts.

Items 4,6,7 and 8 are being dealt with by staff at The Sheriff's Office Downing Centre whilst item 6 is being discussed with the OH&S Division of the Attorney General's Dept.

The purpose of this note is to try and communicate to as many Court Officers as possible that there now exists an avenue for suggestions and recommendations to be made to management for the improvement of our working conditions.

Garry Babbington and myself would like to hear from you if you wish to discuss any issue that affects your workplace as a Court Officer. We have listed our email addresses above however, if you wish to make contact by telephone our work number is 92877035 - if you leave your name and number we will call you back as soon as possible.

It is envisaged that a General Meeting of the Court Officers Vocational Advisory Group (COVAG) will be called for later this year with the office bearers being increased from the existing 5 members to 8 members. The election of a Chairperson, Vice-chairperson, Secretary and five delegates is envisaged.

It would be appreciated if you could spread the word that this group now exists. However, our strength in achievement will only be measured by the way that we work together, whilst being focused on improving our working conditions and income whilst performing at a professional level.

Richard Wilson - Secretary (COVAG)
26th July 2006