“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Power and Water Corporation

Case [2022] FWC 2719


[2022] FWC 2719

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.459—Protected action

“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU)
v

Power and Water Corporation

(B2022/1512)

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI

BRISBANE, 11 OCTOBER 2022

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2022/1311

  1. On 5 October 2022, the “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) (Applicant) made an application to the Fair Work Commission (the Commission) pursuant to s. 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act) to extend the 30 day period for protected action authorised by a protected action ballot order, PR745477 made on 5 September 2022. The Order applies to certain employees of Power and Water Corporation (the Respondent).

  1. The ballot result, by which a majority of the relevant employees endorsed the proposed forms of protected industrial action, was declared on 12 September 2022. Pursuant to s.459(1)(d)(i) of the Act, the 30 day period for protected action commenced on the date of the declaration of the results of the ballot and therefore expires at midnight on 11 October 2022.

  1. On 6 October 2022, the Respondent advised the Commission via email that it does not oppose the AMWU’s application to extend the 30 day period for protected industrial action. Accordingly, I have determined the matter on the basis of the documentation filed.

  1. In addressing s.459(3) of the Act, this application is made by the AMWU who is the Applicant for which the protected action ballot order was issued. Furthermore, the period specified in s.459(1)(d)(i) has not been previously extended.

  1. On that basis and on the material before me, I am satisfied that each of the relevant requirements of s.459 of the Act have been met and that a 30 day extension is appropriate. As the 30 day period expires at midnight on 11 October 2022, the extension period will operate from 11 October 2022.

  1. An order has been separately issued in PR746700.


VICE PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR746701>

Details
AGLC
“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Power and Water Corporation [2022] FWC 2719
Case
[2022] FWC 2719
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) applied to the Fair Work Commission for an extension of the 30-day period for protected industrial action authorized by a protected action ballot order, PR745477, made on 5 September 2022. This order pertains to certain employees of Power and Water Corporation. The AMWU sought the extension under s. 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. The ballot results, indicating a majority endorsement for proposed forms of protected industrial action, were declared on 12 September 2022. According to s.459(1)(d)(i) of the Act, the 30-day period for protected action commenced on the date of the ballot results declaration, expiring at midnight on 11 October 2022. The Power and Water Corporation did not oppose the AMWU’s application, allowing the matter to be determined based on the filed documentation.

The court had to decide whether the requirements of s.459 of the Act were met, particularly if the period specified in s.459(1)(d)(i) could be extended. The AMWU, as the applicant for the protected action ballot order, sought the extension. The 30-day period had not been previously extended. The court needed to determine if the application met the statutory criteria for an extension and if such an extension was appropriate under the circumstances. The court found that all relevant requirements of s.459 of the Act were satisfied and concluded that a 30-day extension was appropriate. The extended period would commence from midnight on 11 October 2022. The court issued an order accordingly in PR746700.

In conclusion, the Fair Work Commission granted the AMWU's application for an extension of the 30-day period for protected industrial action. The court determined that the application met all statutory criteria and found the extension to be appropriate. The extended period began at midnight on 11 October 2022, as per the issued order in PR746700.

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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