Australian Federation of Air Pilots v Network Aviation Pty Ltd

Case [2023] FWC 2787


[2023] FWC 2787

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.459 - Application to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot

Australian Federation of Air Pilots
v

Network Aviation Pty Ltd

(B2023/1149)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT WRIGHT

SYDNEY, 24 OCTOBER 2023

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2023/881

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR765559 held in matter B2023/881 and declared on 25 September 2023.

  1. The Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP or the Applicant) has made an application pursuant to s.459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) to extend the 30-day period in which industrial action is authorised by the relevant protected action ballot.

  1. Section 459(3) of the Act provides as follows:

“(3) The FWC may extend the 30-day period referred to in subparagraph (1)(d)(i) by up to 30 days if:

(a) an applicant for the protected action ballot order applies to the FWC for the period to be extended; and

(b)     the period has not previously been extended.”

  1. The application made by the Applicant contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. Network Aviation Pty Ltd (the Respondent) has advised the Commission it has no objection to this application.

  1. I am satisfied that the relevant requirements of the Act have been met and that the application should be granted.

  1. Accordingly, pursuant to section 459(3) of the Act, I order that the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible AFAP members employed by the Respondent be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 24 October 2023.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR767573>

Details
AGLC
Australian Federation of Air Pilots v Network Aviation Pty Ltd [2023] FWC 2787
Case
[2023] FWC 2787
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) applied to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to extend the 30-day period during which industrial action could be authorised by a protected action ballot. This was in relation to industrial action against Network Aviation Pty Ltd (Network Aviation). The matter was heard by Deputy President Wright in Sydney on 24 October 2023. The application was pursuant to section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009, which allows the FWC to extend the 30-day period if certain conditions are met, including that the period has not previously been extended.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the requirements of section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act had been satisfied by the Applicant. Section 459(3) requires the applicant for the protected action ballot order to apply to the FWC for the period to be extended and that the period has not previously been extended. The Applicant argued that these conditions were met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days. Network Aviation did not object to the application.

The Deputy President was satisfied that the requirements of section 459(3) had been met, as the Applicant had applied for the extension and the period had not previously been extended. The Deputy President found that the application should be granted and ordered that the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible AFAP members employed by Network Aviation be extended by a further 30 days. This order took effect from 24 October 2023.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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