"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v JBS Australia Pty Limited T/A Riverina Beef

[2023] FWC 2023

[2023] FWC 2023

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

JBS Australia Pty Limited T/A Riverina Beef

(B2023/835)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON ADELAIDE, 16 AUGUST 2023

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of JBS Australia Pty Limited T/A Riverina Beef

1. This is an application by the “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of JBS Australia Pty Limited T/A Riverina Beef (Riverina Beef or Employer). 

1. On 15 August 2023, the Commission was advised that Riverina Beef, 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 Mr Bradley Hattenfels on behalf of the AMWU, 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 Riverina Beef, 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 the Australian Electoral Commission. 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 27 September 2023.[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 PR765166.

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 involved in 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, 30 working days from the making of the Order, which is the period required by the Australian Electoral Commission to conduct a ballot. The Applicant had sought a ballot period of 20 working days from the date of the Order; the Commission emailed the Parties, proposing to set a ballot period of 30 working days from the making of the Order, with reference to a specific date. No objections were raised by either Party.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR765167>