Courts staff industrial action could impact trials

Court hearings and trials could be disrupted when hundreds of court security and custodial officers walk off the job over a wage dispute.

Ventia-employed workers are set to strike for eight hours on Friday, with a rally planned in front of a Supreme Court building in Perth.

The Transport Workers Union, which represents the workers, says the action will prevent prisoners from being transported to courts and disrupt court operations, causing delays in hearings and trials.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said the government would work with the union and he hopes the strike doesn’t impact the court operations.

“I hope that it doesn’t represent a threat to the processes of justice,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“We know that’s an important part of our community, but we will continue to work with all unions in relation to any claims they might have in the context of a bargaining arrangement, or if they have any concerns around workplace safety.”

Union State Secretary Tim Dawson said there had been “endless delays and broken promises” and the government had failed to deliver on its promise to commit funding for “safe wages”.

“Our members perform one of the toughest and most critical jobs in the justice system, but their pay and conditions fail to reflect the importance of their work,” he said.

“This government has the power to end this dispute today.

“It’s time to prioritise the safety and fairness these officers have been fighting for.”

Staff at Ventia are understood to be paid up to 24 per cent less than those of their competitors, even though they do the same job.

The union wants a commitment to provide equivalent wages for staff, which it says will attract and retain more experienced officers at Ventia, boosting safety for workers, prisoners, and the public.

Ventia workers previously undertook protected industrial action late last year demanding Ventia and the WA government increase their offer.

The Department of Justice said it was aware of the industrial action and has measures in place to ensure the continued safe operations of courts and corrective services.

The WA government extended Ventia’s contract to provide court security and custodial services in early 2023.

The $229 million contract over four years has an optional five-year extension.

In announcing the deal, the company, which has been providing the service to the WA government for about seven years in total, said it brought a client-focused, innovative and sustainable approach to the essential services it provided.

“The unique and dynamic challenges involved in a contract like this requires an operator that is able to balance security and welfare in complex operating environments,” executive Derek Osborn said at the time.