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

[2023] FWC 3483

[2023] FWC 3483

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

Opal Packaging Australia Pty Ltd

(B2023/1406)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT WRIGHT SYDNEY, 29 DECEMBER 2023

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Opal Packaging Australia 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) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Opal Packaging Australia Pty Ltd (Opal or Employer). 

1. On 22 December 2023, the Commission was advised that Opal, 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 Stephen Fodrocy 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 Opal, 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 13 February 2024.[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 PR769870.

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, as sought in the application. It is also the period required by the Australian Electoral Commission to conduct a ballot.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR769871>