Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees v Bowen Rail Company Pty Ltd T/A Bowen Rail

[2024] FWC 3334

[2024] FWC 3334

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees
v

Bowen Rail Company Pty Ltd T/A Bowen Rail

(B2024/1565)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON ADELAIDE, 2 DECEMBER 2024

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Bowen Rail Company Pty Ltd T/A Bowen Rail

1. This is an application by the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees (AFULE or Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Bowen Rail Company Pty Ltd trading as Bowen Rail (Bowen Rail or Employer).

1. I note that the Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union (ARTBIU)[1] has made a separate application for a protected action ballot order in relation to the same proposed enterprise agreement.

1. On 29 November 2024, the Commission was advised that the Employer, in effect, did not object to the Application.

1. In the circumstances, I have decided to determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing.

1. On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Thomas James O’Rourke, Organiser, setting out the steps taken by the AFULE in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Bowen Rail, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that all of the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met.

1. The ballot is to be conducted by Fair Vote Services Pty Ltd (Fair Vote). Fair Vote has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and consequently is authorised to conduct the ballot.

1. For the purposes of s.443(3)(c) of the Act, the Commission has determined that the date by which voting is to close is 16 December 2024.[2] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

1. An Order has been separately issued in PR781887.

1. This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference along with the other related matter. That Member will issue an Order requiring the attendance of all bargaining representatives in the proposed enterprise agreement at the conference. It is likely that Directions will also be issued to ensure that the parties attend the conference ready to conduct meaningful negotiations.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

[1] B2024/1563.

[2] This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought by the parties.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

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