Laura Wakely
SUNSHINE Magistrates’ Court could be left without security after industrial action was approved for Victorian court guards.
Fair Work Australia approved a ballot last Wednesday for strike action, with security guards from Magistrates’ Courts in Sunshine, Broadmeadows and Werribee affected.
A Magistrates’ Court guard, who did not want to be identified, said that guards needed to be skilled and experienced to see weapons like knives getting into court.
“We see a lot of dangerous people here and if it weren’t for good, experienced guards, all hell would break loose,” the guard said.
“The innocent victims of crime, other witnesses, legal staff, court employees, all would be at far greater risk without us.”
Guards are preparing for strike action in an effort to win a four per cent pay rise in line with what is being offered by other security companies.
United Voice, a security union, Assistant State Secretary Ben Redford said many guards were “close to the poverty line”.
“In the past decade, guards have become ever more responsible for public safety and protection in places like our courts, but their pay has remained stubbornly poor,” Mr Redford said.
“Our courts are seeing an exodus of experienced security officers. That’s a grave worry because courts can be very dangerous places.”
Mr Redford said security guards were protecting judges and “star witnesses” from “Victoria’s underbelly”.
The Department of Justice failed to respond as to how it would manage court safety during strike action.
