Australian Workers' Union v Henty Gold Pty Ltd

Case [2024] FWC 3406


[2024] FWC 3406

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

Henty Gold Pty Ltd

(B2024/1602)

COMMISSIONER HARPER-GREENWELL

MELBOURNE, 6 DECEMBER 2024

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2024/1250

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot (PR779671) held in matter B2024/1250 and declared on 7 November 2024.

  1. The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) 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. Henty Gold Pty Ltd (Henty Gold) has advised the Commission that it does not 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 AWU members employed by Henty Gold be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 7 December 2024.

COMMISSIONER

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Details
AGLC
Australian Workers' Union v Henty Gold Pty Ltd [2024] FWC 3406
Case
[2024] FWC 3406
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Workers' Union (AWU) applied to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for an extension of the 30-day period in which industrial action is authorised by a protected action ballot. The relevant ballot, PR779671, was declared on 7 November 2024 in matter B2024/1250. The Commission was asked to extend the 30-day period pursuant to section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009, which allows for an extension if the applicant for the protected action ballot order applies to the FWC and the period has not previously been extended. Henty Gold Pty Ltd did not object to the application, and the Commissioner was satisfied that the requirements of the Act were met.

The primary legal issue for the Commissioner was whether the AWU's application satisfied the conditions under section 459(3) of the Act for extending the 30-day period for protected industrial action. The Commissioner considered whether the AWU had applied for an extension within the statutory timeframe and whether the period had not been previously extended. The Commissioner found that both conditions were met, and therefore, the application should be granted.

The Commissioner concluded that the AWU's application met the statutory requirements for an extension of the 30-day period. Henty Gold Pty Ltd did not oppose the application, and the Commissioner was satisfied that there were no impediments to granting the extension. Consequently, the Commissioner ordered that the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible AWU members employed by Henty Gold be extended by a further 30 days. This order took effect from 7 December 2024.

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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