"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Bega Cheese Limited

[2025] FWC 1770

[2025] FWC 1770

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

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

Bega Cheese Limited

(B2025/964)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON ADELAIDE, 24 JUNE 2025

Protected action ballot of employees of Bega Cheese Limited.

1. This is an application by the Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU 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 Bega Cheese Limited (Bega or Employer).

1. On 23 June 2025, 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 Brad Hattenfels, Assistant State Secretary, setting out the steps taken by the AMWU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Bega, 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 8 July 2025.[1] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act. 

1. An Order has been separately issued in PR788481.

1. This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference. That Member will issue an Order requiring the attendance of all bargaining representatives for 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] This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR788482>