"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Campbell Australasia Pty Ltd T/A Campbell's Soups Australia

Case [2024] FWC 563


[2024] FWC 563

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

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

Campbell Australasia Pty Ltd T/A Campbell's Soups Australia

(B2024/166)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 1 MARCH 2024

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2023/1390

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot (PR769672) held in matter B2023/1390 and declared on 7 February 2024.

  1. The “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australia Manufacturing Works’ Union (AMWU) 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 AMWU contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. Campbell Australasia Pty Ltd T/A Campbell’s Soups Australia (Campbell’s) has not advised the Commission of any objection to the 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 AMWU members employed by Campbell’s be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 1 March February 2024.


DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR771983>

Details
AGLC
"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Campbell Australasia Pty Ltd T/A Campbell's Soups Australia [2024] FWC 563
Case
[2024] FWC 563
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) applied to the Fair Work Commission for an extension of the 30-day period for protected industrial action authorised by a ballot held in relation to their members employed by Campbell Australasia Pty Ltd, trading as Campbell's Soups Australia. The AMWU sought the extension under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009, which allows for such an extension if certain conditions are met and if the period has not already been extended. Campbell Australasia Pty Ltd did not object to the application.

The key legal issue before the Deputy President was whether the AMWU had satisfied the requirements set out in section 459(3) of the Act for extending the period for protected industrial action. The AMWU argued that it had met all the criteria for an extension, including making an application to the Commission for the period to be extended and ensuring that the period had not previously been extended. Campbell Australasia Pty Ltd did not present any objection to the application.

The Deputy President found that the AMWU had indeed satisfied the requirements of the Act, as the application had been made within the stipulated timeframe and the period had not been extended previously. Consequently, the Deputy President granted the application and ordered that the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible AMWU members employed by Campbell's be extended by a further 30 days. The order was to take effect from 1 March 2024.

Orders

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Background

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Evidence

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