Application by "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" Known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU)

[2016] FWC 2809

[2016] FWC 2809

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries

Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU)

v

Fuji Xerox Document Management Solutions Pty Limited

(B2016/84)

COMMISSIONER CAMBRIDGE SYDNEY, 9 MAY 2016

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Fuji Xerox Document Management

Solutions Pty Limited.

[1]        On 4 May 2016, the “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing & Kindred

Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), made

an application for a protected action ballot order. The application was made pursuant to

section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The application was made in respect of

members of the AMWU who are employees of Fuji Xerox Document Management Solutions

Pty Limited (the employer) whose employment is to be regulated by a proposed agreement to

replace the Fuji Xerox Document Management Solutions (NSW) Enterprise Agreement 2014.

[2]        The application seeks a ballot of employees of the employer who are members of the

AMWU who would be covered by a proposed enterprise agreement. The application was

supplemented with the Statement of Belinda Griggs (the Statement) dated 4 May 2016. In

summary, the Statement provided information about events involving attempts made by the

AMWU to reach agreement with the employer on the terms of a proposed enterprise

agreement.

[3]        The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) received communication dated 6 May

2016, advising that the employer did not oppose the application for a protected action ballot

Order. The application was listed for Hearing before the Commission in Sydney on 9 May

2016, at which time the following appearances were recorded:

Mr Joseph Lavelle Wilson on behalf of the AMWU.

[4]        The determination of this matter is primarily governed by the provisions of section

443 of the Act. Section 443 is in the following terms:

“443 When the FWC must make a protected action ballot order

[2016] FWC 2809

(1) The FWC must make a protected action ballot order in relation to a proposed

enterprise agreement if:

(a) an application has been made under section 437; and

(b) the FWC is satisfied that each applicant has been, and is, genuinely trying

to reach an agreement with the employer of the employees who are to be

balloted.

(2) The FWC must not make a protected action ballot order in relation to a proposed

enterprise agreement except in the circumstances referred to in subsection (1).

(3) A protected action ballot order must specify the following:

(a) the name of each applicant for the order;

(b) the group or groups of employees who are to be balloted;

(c) the date by which voting in the protected action ballot closes;

(d) the question or questions to be put to the employees who are to be balloted,

including the nature of the proposed industrial action.

(4) If the FWC decides that a person other than the Australian Electoral Commission

is to be the protected action ballot agent for the protected action ballot, the protected

action ballot order must also specify:

(a) the person that the FWC decides, under subsection 444(1), is to be the

protected action ballot agent; and

(b) the person (if any) that the FWC decides, under subsection 444(3), is to be

the independent advisor for the ballot.

(5) If the FWC is satisfied, in relation to the proposed industrial action that is the

subject of the protected action ballot, that there are exceptional circumstances

justifying the period of written notice referred to in paragraph 414(2)(a) being longer

than 3 working days, the protected action ballot order may specify a longer period of

up to 7 working days.

Note: Under subsection 414(1), before a person engages in employee claim action for

a proposed enterprise agreement, a bargaining representative of an employee who

will be covered by the agreement must give written notice of the action to the employer

of the employee.”

[5]        In this instance, I am satisfied that the application has been made in accordance with

section 437 of the Act. Further, I am satisfied that the applicant has been, and is, genuinely

trying to reach an agreement with the employer of the employees who are to be balloted. In

addition, I am satisfied that the requirements of sections 438 and 440 of the Act have also

been met.

[2016] FWC 2809

[6]        Therefore, pursuant to subsection 443(1) of the Act, the Commission must make a

protected action ballot Order. The Order shall be made in the terms as broadly sought by the

AMWU. Accordingly an Order [PR580020] is issued separately.

COMMISSIONER

Appearances:

Mr Joseph Lavelle Wilson appeared on behalf of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’

Union.

Hearing details:

2016.

Sydney:

May, 9

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<Price code A, PR580018>