Tempers boil over in court walkout

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.

The 26 Nelson registrars, registry support workers and other staff began strike action at 10.30am, leaving a backlog of 144 list cases due to be heard in the Nelson District Court. Although Ministry of Justice workers around the country have been taking part in industrial action since October, yesterday's strike affected solely Nelson services.

The escalating stress and frustration of those waiting for a hearing was evident, with a wave of gasps and expletives greeting the news court staff had left.

"That's not good enough, man. This is my third time," one cried, while calls of "this is bulls..t" could also be heard.

Victims are also suffering, as closure on their cases is being continually delayed.

It was clear the striking staff's aim of causing maximum disruption by refusing to reveal when they will strike, or for how long, is beginning to hit home, as distraught defendants demanded answers.

Distressed Motueka 24-year-old Jamie Nicholson told The Nelson Mail he had been to court three times, only to have his hearing postponed. He wanted to plead guilty to his first drink-driving charge and move on with his life, he said.

"I just want to lose my licence and get it over with. I'm just feeling really angry and annoyed, and feel like my time's not as important as their's."

Nelson lawyer John Sandston said victims were also feeling the strain. "We have clients who are the victim of a crime and they are continually not knowing when the case is going to be resolved ... it drags on and on and on with their lives on hold."

Mr Sandston said yesterday's outburst from the public gallery should concern court staff.

"I haven't ever seen that in a court before, where you had numerous people swearing and shouting and that concerns me, because there wasn't a great deal of security in that courtroom when that announcement was made. The court, if they're going to continue down this path, need to beef up security because you can appreciate if the same thing happens to some of these people [again] you can only second-guess what people's reactions will be. I would have thought trouble's brewing."

Mr Sandston said while he sympathised with court staff, he questioned whether wildcat strikes were the best way to make their point. He believed a serious backlog was building in the court system.

Yesterday's strike disrupted proceedings in the Criminal Summary Court. A civil matter being heard in the High Court at Nelson was able to proceed, while urgent cases and those where the defendant had been remanded in custody, sentencings and overnight arrests, were all able to be dealt with in the district court despite the strike.

Ministry of Justice district courts general manager Tony Fisher said while most Nelson staff had gone on strike, the court manager, management team and non-union staff continued working. "The ministry remains committed to resolving this industrial action but we will not settle a collective agreement with the PSA at any cost."

Lawyer Mark Dollimore said while he supported court staff "100 percent", the disruption from the strikes was severe in some cases. Some offenders who were a danger to the public were enjoying freedom while their sentencings were delayed time and again, he said.

One client was a repeat drink-driver who was certain to go to jail. "This guy loves it when there's a strike."

Striking court staff did not return to work yesterday, and were still on strike this morning.

Industrial action at courts around the country has been ongoing since October in protest at being paid on average 6.9 percent less than other public service workers.

COURT CHAOS

144 cases affected by Monday's walk-out. 26 Nelson court staff on strike. 6.9 percent – how much less court staff say they are paid than other public service workers. Urgent cases, custody remands, sentencings and overnight arrests still proceeding. Unknown when staff will return to work.

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