"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v KDR Victoria Pty Ltd T/A Yarra Trams

Case [2023] FWC 2703


[2023] FWC 2703

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

KDR Victoria Pty Ltd T/A Yarra Trams

(B2023/1102)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 17 OCTOBER 2023

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2023/947

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot (PR765920) held in matter B2023/947 and declared on 22 September 2023.

  1. The “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ 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. KDR Victoria Pty Ltd T/A Yarra Trams (Yarra Trams) has not advised the Commission of any objection to this 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 Yarra Trams be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 17 October 2023.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

< PR767314>

Details
AGLC
"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v KDR Victoria Pty Ltd T/A Yarra Trams [2023] FWC 2703
Case
[2023] FWC 2703
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case of Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union, known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU), versus KDR Victoria Pty Ltd trading as Yarra Trams, involved an application to extend the 30-day period during which industrial action was authorised by a protected action ballot. The application was heard by the Fair Work Commission, with the Deputy President Hampton presiding over the case in Adelaide on 17 October 2023. The AMWU sought to extend the period for the commencement of protected industrial action for its members employed by Yarra Trams.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the application to extend the 30-day period for industrial action met the requirements set out in section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. This section allows for the extension of the period by up to 30 days if specific conditions are satisfied, namely that the applicant for the protected action ballot order applies to the Fair Work Commission for the extension, and that the period has not already been extended. The AMWU argued that both conditions were met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days. Yarra Trams did not object to the application.

The Deputy President Hampton found that the AMWU had satisfied the requirements of the Act for the extension of the period. The application was granted, and the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action was extended by a further 30 days, effective from 17 October 2023. The decision underscored the Commission's role in balancing the rights of employers and employees within the framework provided by the Fair Work Act.

Orders

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

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Decision

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Ratio Decidendi

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