“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd

Case [2022] FWC 1166


[2022] FWC 1166

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

Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd

(B2022/434)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT CLANCY

MELBOURNE, 13 MAY 2022

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd.

  1. This is an application by the “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) (Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd (the Respondent).

  1. On 13 May 2022, 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 Barry Terzic 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 PR741607.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR741606>

Details
AGLC
“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd [2022] FWC 1166
Case
[2022] FWC 1166
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) applied to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 to hold a protected action ballot for certain employees of Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd. The AMWU sought the ballot to enable the employees to vote on proposed industrial action. Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd did not object to the application. The matter was determined by Deputy President Clancy on 13 May 2022 without a hearing, based on the material provided by the AMWU and Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd.

The key legal issues before the FWC were whether the AMWU had complied with the notification requirements under section 443(1) of the Act and whether there was a genuine attempt to reach agreement with the employer. The AMWU submitted a declaration by Mr Barry Terzic setting out the steps taken in bargaining with Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd and that it had been genuinely trying to reach agreement. The FWC was required to determine whether the AMWU had satisfied the statutory requirements to hold a protected action ballot.

Deputy President Clancy found that the AMWU had complied with the notification requirements and that there was a genuine attempt to reach agreement. The FWC was satisfied that a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement existed and that the AMWU had met the requirements of section 443(1) of the Act. An order was subsequently issued allowing the AMWU to hold a protected action ballot for the employees of Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd.

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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