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

Case [2022] FWC 2722


[2022] FWC 2722

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 Generation Corporation

(B2022/1511)

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI

BRISBANE, 11 OCTOBER 2022

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2022/1310

  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, PR745451 made on 2 September 2022. The Order applies to certain employees of Power Generation 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 9 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 expired at midnight on 8 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 8 October 2022, the extension period will operate from 8 October 2022.

  1. An order has been separately issued in PR746707.


VICE PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR746708>

Details
AGLC
“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Power Generation Corporation [2022] FWC 2722
Case
[2022] FWC 2722
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) applied to the Fair Work Commission to extend the 30-day period for protected action authorised by a ballot order made on 2 September 2022. The order applied to certain employees of Power Generation Corporation. The ballot result, which indicated that a majority of the relevant employees endorsed the proposed forms of protected industrial action, was declared on 9 September 2022. Consequently, the 30-day period for protected action began on 9 September 2022 and was set to expire at midnight on 8 October 2022. The Respondent, Power Generation Corporation, did not oppose the AMWU's application to extend the 30-day period for protected industrial action. The Commission was required to decide whether the application to extend the 30-day period met the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009.

The court considered the application under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009, which allows for the extension of the 30-day period for protected action authorised by a protected action ballot order. The AMWU, as the applicant, had not previously extended the specified period. The Commission was satisfied that the requirements of section 459 of the Act had been met and that a 30-day extension was appropriate. The extension period was set to operate from 8 October 2022, the date when the original 30-day period expired.

The Fair Work Commission granted the AMWU's application to extend the 30-day period for protected industrial action. The extension period would commence from 8 October 2022, providing additional time for the AMWU to undertake protected action authorised by the ballot order. An order was separately issued in PR746707 to reflect the decision.

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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