Australian Workers' Union v Chevron Australia Pty Ltd

Case [2023] FWC 2441


[2023] FWC 2441

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 Workers' Union
v

Chevron Australia Pty Ltd

(B2023/992)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 20 SEPTEMBER 2023

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2023/827

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot (PR765136) held in matter B2023/827 and declared on 28 August 2023.

  1. The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU or 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 AWU contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. Chevron Australia Pty Ltd (Chevron) has advised the Commission it does not object 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 AWU members employed by Chevron be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 20 September 2023.


DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR766452>

Details
AGLC
Australian Workers' Union v Chevron Australia Pty Ltd [2023] FWC 2441
Case
[2023] FWC 2441
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Workers' Union (AWU) has applied to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to extend the 30-day period for industrial action authorised by a protected action ballot, specifically related to matter B2023/827. The protected action ballot was declared on 28 August 2023, and the AWU sought to extend the period under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. Chevron Australia Pty Ltd (Chevron) did not object to the application. The FWC Deputy President Hampton was tasked with determining whether the application met the criteria for extension under the Act.

The legal issue at the heart of this application is whether the FWC should grant an extension of the 30-day period for protected industrial action under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act. This section allows for an extension if certain conditions are satisfied: an application for the extension must be made by the applicant for the protected action ballot order, and the period must not have been extended previously. The AWU argued that both conditions were met, and therefore, the extension should be granted. Chevron did not contest the application, leaving the FWC to decide based solely on the AWU's application and the statutory criteria.

The FWC Deputy President Hampton found that the application met the statutory criteria for an extension under section 459(3) of the Act. The Deputy President was satisfied that the AWU had made the requisite application and that the 30-day period had not been extended before. Consequently, the Deputy President ruled that the application should be granted, extending the 30-day period by an additional 30 days. This extension took effect from 20 September 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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