| [2023] FWC 1170 |
| 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
Tomago Aluminium Company Pty Limited
(B2023/467)
| VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI | SYDNEY, 18 MAY 2023 |
Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2023/298
On 17 May 2023, 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, PR760839 made on 3 April 2023. The Order applies to certain employees of Tomago Aluminium Company Pty Limited (the Respondent).
The ballot result, by which a majority of the relevant employees endorsed the proposed forms of protected industrial action, was declared on 19 April 2023. 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 18 May 2023.
On 17 May 2023, the Respondent neither consented nor objected to 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.
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.
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 18 May 2023, the extension period will operate from 18 May 2023.
An order has been separately issued in PR762005.
VICE PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<PR762006>
- AGLC
- "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Tomago Aluminium Company Pty Limited [2023] FWC 1170
- Case
- [2023] FWC 1170
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The legal issue before the Commission was whether the AMWU met the statutory requirements to extend the 30-day period for protected action. The key consideration was whether the AMWU, as the applicant for the ballot order, had fulfilled the conditions of section 459 of the Fair Work Act. The Respondent did not contest the application, and the period had not been previously extended.
In determining the matter, the Vice President found that the AMWU had satisfied the requirements of section 459 of the Fair Work Act. The Vice President noted that the AMWU was the appropriate applicant for the extension, and the statutory period had not been extended before. Given these facts, the Vice President was satisfied that the AMWU had met the criteria for a 30-day extension of the period for protected action. The extension would therefore commence on 18 May 2023, the date on which the original 30-day period was due to expire.
An order was subsequently issued in PR762005, granting the AMWU's application for an extension of the 30-day period for protected industrial action.
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