“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Otis Elevator Company Pty Ltd

Case [2025] FWC 1933


[2025] FWC 1933

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

Otis Elevator Company Pty Ltd

(B2025/1096)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT LAKE

BRISBANE, 7 JULY 2025

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Otis Elevator Company 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 Otis Elevator Company Pty Ltd (Otis). 

  1. I note that the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) have made a separate application for a protected action ballot order in relation to the same proposed agreement.[1] 

  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 Jack Mawson Hargreaves, AMWU Organiser, 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 Otis 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 Democratic Outcomes Pty Ltd (CiVS). CiVS has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and consequently is authorised to conduct the ballot.

  1. 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 21 July 2025[2]. This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

  1. An Order has been separately issued in PR788959.

  1. I will conduct the s448A compulsory conciliation conference and issue the Order requiring attendance for conference. 


DEPUTY PRESIDENT


[1] B2025/1088

[2] This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR788960>

Details
AGLC
“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Otis Elevator Company Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 1933
Case
[2025] FWC 1933
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission dealt with an application by the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) for a protected action ballot order in relation to employees of Otis Elevator Company Pty Ltd. The AMWU sought the order under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 to conduct a ballot for proposed protected action. The union had been in negotiations with Otis Elevator Company Pty Ltd and had made efforts to reach an agreement. Concurrently, another union, the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU), had made a separate application for a protected action ballot order regarding the same proposed agreement. The Deputy President Lake determined the matter on the papers without a hearing. The Commission was satisfied that the AMWU had met all the requirements under s.443(1) of the Act, including the notification time for the proposed agreement.

The legal issues the court had to decide were whether the AMWU had genuinely tried to reach an agreement with Otis Elevator Company Pty Ltd and if the requirements for a protected action ballot under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 were fulfilled. The court examined the declaration of Jack Mawson Hargreaves, AMWU Organiser, which detailed the union's bargaining efforts and their genuine attempt to reach an agreement. The court also needed to confirm the eligibility of Democratic Outcomes Pty Ltd (CiVS) as a protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act. The Commission determined that the closing date for voting would be 21 July 2025, establishing the ballot period for the purposes of s.448A(2) of the Act.

The Deputy President Lake concluded that all conditions for a protected action ballot order were met. The Commission authorised CiVS to conduct the ballot. The decision was issued without a hearing, and an Order was separately made in PR788959. The Deputy President will also conduct a compulsory conciliation conference under s.448A and issue the Order for attendance. The court's determination ensures that the AMWU can proceed with the ballot for the proposed agreement, and the process is set to conclude by the established voting deadline.

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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