“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v FMP Group Pty Limited

Case [2023] FWC 430


[2023] FWC 430

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

FMP Group Pty Limited

(B2023/136)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT CLANCY

MELBOURNE, 21 FEBRUARY 2023

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of FMP Group Pty Limited

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

  1. On 21 February 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 PR750961.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR750960>

Details
AGLC
“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v FMP Group Pty Limited [2023] FWC 430
Case
[2023] FWC 430
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) made an application to the Fair Work Commission under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of FMP Group Pty Limited. The AMWU sought this order to allow its members to vote on whether to engage in protected action, which in this context refers to industrial action that is protected from certain legal consequences under the Act. The dispute arose from the union's negotiations with FMP Group regarding a proposed agreement. FMP Group did not object to the application, and as such, the Deputy President decided to determine the matter based on the submitted documents without the need for a hearing.

The primary legal issues the Fair Work Commission needed to address were whether the AMWU had genuinely attempted to reach an agreement with FMP Group and if the notification period for the proposed agreement was appropriately set. The union submitted a declaration by Mr. Andrew Bonello, outlining the steps taken during the bargaining process and affirming the union's genuine efforts to reach an agreement. Additionally, the Commission needed to ensure that the requirements outlined in section 443(1) of the Act were satisfied, which pertain to the conditions under which a protected action ballot can be conducted.

The Deputy President was satisfied that the AMWU had genuinely tried to reach an agreement with FMP Group and that the notification period for the proposed agreement was correctly established. Based on the evidence provided, the requirements of section 443(1) of the Act were met. Consequently, the application for a protected action ballot order was approved. A separate order was issued in PR750961, reflecting the Commission's decision.

This ruling allows the AMWU to proceed with a ballot among its members to vote on whether to undertake protected industrial action, provided all other legal requirements are fulfilled. The decision underscores the importance of genuine bargaining efforts and proper notification periods in the context of industrial relations under the Fair Work Act 2009.

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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