"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd T/A Orora Beverage Cans Australasia

Case [2023] FWC 3410


[2023] FWC 3410

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

Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd T/A Orora Beverage Cans Australasia

(B2023/1383)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

SYDNEY, 19 DECEMBER 2023

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2023/1065

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot (PR767037) held in matter B2023/1065 and declared on 22 November 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. Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd T/A Orora Beverage Cans Australasia has not advised the Commission it has an 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 Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd T/A Orora Beverage Cans Australasia be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 19 December 2023.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR769613>

Details
AGLC
"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd T/A Orora Beverage Cans Australasia [2023] FWC 3410
Case
[2023] FWC 3410
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union (AMWU) has applied to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for an extension to the 30-day period in which industrial action is authorised by a protected action ballot, in relation to Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd T/A Orora Beverage Cans Australasia. The AMWU argues that the 30-day period should be extended by a further 30 days, as permitted under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd has not objected to the application.

The legal issues before the FWC were whether the requirements of section 459(3) of the Act had been met to permit an extension of the 30-day period. Section 459(3) allows the FWC to extend the 30-day period if the applicant for the protected action ballot applies for an extension and the period has not previously been extended. The FWC needed to determine if these requirements had been satisfied.

The FWC found that the AMWU had met the requirements of section 459(3) of the Act. The AMWU had applied for an extension within the required timeframe and the period had not previously been extended. As such, the FWC was satisfied that the application should be granted. Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd had not objected to the application. Therefore, the FWC ordered that the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible AMWU members employed by Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd be extended by a further 30 days, from 19 December 2023.

Orders

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

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Ratio Decidendi

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