“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v B&D Australia Pty Ltd T/A B & D Doors

Case [2023] FWC 1311


[2023] FWC 1311

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437—Protected action

“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU)
v

B&D Australia Pty Ltd T/A B & D Doors

(B2023/525)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT CLANCY

MELBOURNE, 5 JUNE 2023

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of B&D Australia Pty Ltd Trading As B & D Doors

  1. This is an application by the Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of B&D Australia Pty Ltd T/A B & D Doors Limited (Respondent).

  1. On 2 June 2023, my Associate was advised that the Respondent 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 Mr Andrew Bonello of the Applicant setting out the steps taken by it in bargaining with the Respondent and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with the Respondent, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met.

  1. An order has been separately issued in PR762768.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

<PR762767>

Details
AGLC
“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v B&D Australia Pty Ltd T/A B & D Doors [2023] FWC 1311
Case
[2023] FWC 1311
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) considered an application by the Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union, known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), for an order allowing a ballot of employees of B&D Australia Pty Ltd T/A B & D Doors regarding protected industrial action. The AMWU sought this order under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009, asserting that it had been genuinely attempting to reach an agreement with B&D Australia Pty Ltd and that a notification period had been provided for the proposed agreement. B&D Australia Pty Ltd did not oppose the AMWU's application, which led the Deputy President to decide the matter on the available documents without a hearing.

The primary legal issue before the FWC was whether the AMWU had met the statutory requirements to conduct a ballot of its members for protected industrial action. Specifically, the FWC had to determine if the AMWU had genuinely attempted to reach an agreement with B&D Australia Pty Ltd and whether the notification period for the proposed agreement had been appropriately observed. The statutory framework under section 437 of the Fair Work Act requires that certain conditions are met before a ballot can be held, including the genuine attempt to negotiate and the provision of a notification period as outlined in section 443(1) of the Act.

Upon reviewing the application and the declaration by Mr. Andrew Bonello of the AMWU, the Deputy President found that the AMWU had indeed met the statutory requirements. The evidence demonstrated that the AMWU had been genuinely trying to reach an agreement with B&D Australia Pty Ltd and had provided the necessary notification period for the proposed agreement. Consequently, the Deputy President decided to grant the AMWU's application for a ballot order. An order was subsequently issued in PR762768.

The FWC's decision underscores the importance of meeting statutory conditions for conducting a ballot for protected industrial action. By confirming that the AMWU had fulfilled its obligations under the Fair Work Act, the Deputy President enabled the union to proceed with its planned ballot, thereby upholding the legal framework for industrial relations processes in Australia.

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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