| [2023] FWC 92 |
| 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
Stanmore SMC Pty Ltd T/A BHP Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd
(B2023/29)
| VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI | SYDNEY, 13 JANUARY 2023 |
Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2022/1781
On 12 January 2023, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (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, PR748574 made on 5 December 2022. The Order applies to certain employees of Stanmore SMC Pty Ltd T/A BHP Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd (the Respondent).
The ballot result, by which a majority of the relevant employees endorsed the proposed forms of protected industrial action, was declared on 20 December 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 19 January 2023.
On 13 January 2023, the Respondent advised the Commission via email that it does not oppose the Applicant’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.
In addressing s.459(3) of the Act, this application is made by the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union 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.
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 19 January 2023, the extension period will operate from 19 January 2023.
An order has been separately issued in PR749625.
VICE PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<PR749626>
- AGLC
- “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Stanmore SMC Pty Ltd T/A BHP Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd [2023] FWC 92
- Case
- [2023] FWC 92
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The legal issue before the Fair Work Commission was whether the AMWU's application to extend the 30-day period for protected action met the requirements under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. The AMWU argued that the extension was necessary and appropriate given the circumstances of the industrial action. The Commission had to determine if all relevant requirements of the Act were satisfied and if the extension was justified. Additionally, the Commission needed to consider whether the specified period had been previously extended, which in this case, it had not.
The Vice President Catanzariti found that the AMWU had met all the necessary requirements under section 459 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The Commission was satisfied that the extension was appropriate given the documentation and circumstances presented. The decision was made on the basis of the application and the absence of opposition from the respondent. The 30-day extension period was granted, commencing from the expiration date of the original period, midnight on 19 January 2023. A separate order was issued in PR749625 to reflect this decision.
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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