“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v v/Line Maintenance Pty Limited

Case [2022] FWC 1233


[2022] FWC 1233

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

V/Line Maintenance Pty Limited

(B2022/451)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT CLANCY

MELBOURNE, 19 MAY 2022

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of V/Line Maintenance Pty Limited.

  1. This is an application by the “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) (Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of V/Line Maintenance Pty Limited (the Respondent).

  1. On 19 May 2022, my Associate was advised that the Respondent did not object to the application.

  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 Mr Barry Terzic of the Applicant setting out the steps taken by it in bargaining with the Respondent and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with the Respondent, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met.

  1. An order has been separately issued in PR741784.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR741783>

Details
AGLC
“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v v/Line Maintenance Pty Limited [2022] FWC 1233
Case
[2022] FWC 1233
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case before the Fair Work Commission involves an application by the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU), trading as the Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union, seeking an order for a protected action ballot concerning certain employees of V/Line Maintenance Pty Limited. This application was made under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The matter was determined by Deputy President Clancy in Melbourne on 19 May 2022. The respondent, V/Line Maintenance Pty Limited, did not object to the application, allowing the Deputy President to decide on the matter without the need for a hearing.

The legal issues at the heart of this case revolve around the requirements for a protected action ballot under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009. Specifically, the AMWU needed to demonstrate that there was a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that all necessary conditions outlined in section 443(1) of the Act had been met. The union had to provide evidence that it had been genuinely trying to reach an agreement with the employer and had taken appropriate steps in the bargaining process. The Deputy President examined the material presented, including the declaration by Mr Barry Terzic of the AMWU, to ascertain whether these conditions were fulfilled.

After reviewing the declaration and other relevant material, Deputy President Clancy was satisfied that the AMWU had met the statutory requirements for a protected action ballot. Mr Terzic's declaration provided sufficient evidence that the union had been genuinely attempting to reach an agreement and that the notification time had been provided. The Deputy President concluded that all the necessary conditions for the protected action ballot had been met, and an order was issued accordingly.

This decision was made without the need for a hearing, as the respondent did not object to the application. The Fair Work Commission issued a separate order in PR741784, formalising the decision. The AMWU is now permitted to proceed with the protected action ballot concerning the employees of V/Line Maintenance Pty Limited.

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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