"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Ventia Australia Pty Ltd

[2024] FWC 1826

[2024] FWC 1826

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

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

Ventia Australia Pty Ltd

(B2024/877)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT WRIGHT SYDNEY, 11 JULY 2024

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Ventia Australia Pty Ltd

1. This is an application by the AMWU (AMWU or Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Ventia Australia Pty Ltd (Ventia or Employer).

1. I note that the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU)[1]  has made a separate application for a protected action ballot order in relation to the same proposed enterprise agreement.

1. On 11 July 2024, the Commission was advised that the Employer, in effect, 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 Gavin Bubb, Organiser, setting out the steps taken by the AMWU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with it, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that all of  the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met.

1. The ballot is to be conducted by Democratic Outcomes Pty Ltd (CiVS). CiVS has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and consequently is authorised to conduct the ballot.

1. For the purposes of s.443(3)(c) of the Act, the Commission has determined that the date by which voting is to close is 25 July 2024.[2] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

1. An Order has been separately issued in PR776930

1. This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference along with the other related matter. That Member will issue an Order requiring the attendance of all bargaining representatives in the proposed enterprise agreement at the conference. It is likely that Directions will also be issued to ensure that the parties attend the conference ready to conduct meaningful negotiations.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

[1] B2024/879.

[2] This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the date sought in the application.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR776929>