The dispute around the payment of Court staff is becoming increasingly concerning. This story in the Nelson Mail during the week highlights the real concern that a settlement is needed.
A packed courtroom erupted with anger and frustration as Nelson court staff walked off the job again yesterday. Security fears have been raised over the strength of anger in the public gallery, with one lawyer urging the court to lift security in the event of future walk-outs.
Clearly many people in Court, both the accused and victims, will be in a high state of emotional stress, and it seems some of them vented their concern. In addition cases are being delayed as the dispute has been going on for months.
It is interesting in a series of articles in the Nelson Mail on this issue, and backed by my discussions with lawyers, they have a great deal of sympathy for the case of the Court workers. They do a number of very important jobs that allow our judicial system to operate. They are not well paid, with many earning around $30,000 mark. Overall they are paid 7% lower than the public service median for their job type.
My understanding is that the claim with the Ministry of Justice is a modest one. It does include putting in place salary scales, with pay steps so employees can see the potential for some progression on the basis of satisfactory performance. This is a regular feature of collecitve contracts, and does not seem unreasonable.
While the negotiating is not done by Ministers, it is time for the Minister of Courts and the Minister of Justice to show some leadership, and work with the Justice Ministry to resolve this case. A big part of the problem is that the Justice Ministry is bound by the de-facto pay freeze being imposed by the government. But this sutations is now getting serious. Too many cases are now been held up, and it is clear that tensions are rising.
I agree, it’s time this mess was cleaned up!
I used to work for the Department of Courts (before it was super-merged with the Ministry). This was under a Labour Govt.
Court staff have historically been the lowest paid staff of any department or ministry, on average. However, they perform the administration of justice with above average service – something that is reflected in many lawyers reluctant or completely unwilling to ‘bag’ court staff in the dispute over pay – virtually all lawyers support court staff in this long-running dispute, as do Judges (who are former lawyers).
Despite best endavours – we did not reach parity with other state sector workers under a Labour Government, and it’s unlikely that it will happen under a National Government.
I do not advise Labour making ‘political capital’ over this issue – many court staff are very angry at Labour for their behaviour. Labour in all honesty should have reduced Treasury staff wages by a reasonable 5%, and that would have more than compensated Court staff (Treasury staff do very little). However, Labour could not see that then, and can’t see it now.
Just why did the court staff wages get so far out of whack with their market rates? Is it because we pay Lawyers and Judges too much? Or did we contract out these jobs to?
I have no idea why the wages are out of sync. The jobs aren’t contracted out and couldn’t be; you have to be a genuine Kiwi to understand the intersection of courts, justice and Kiwi culture.
Deleted. Chris could you re-write. Clare