Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v ARA Fire Protection Services Pty Ltd T/A ARA Fire

Case [2023] FWC 1111


[2023] FWC 1111

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.459—Protected action

Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia
v

ARA Fire Protection Services Pty Ltd T/A ARA Fire

(B2023/415)

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI

SYDNEY, 10 MAY 2023

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2023/189

  1. On 5 May 2023, the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (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, PR751373 made on 2 March 2023. The Order applies to certain employees of ARA Fire Protection Services Pty Ltd T/A ARA Fire (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 12 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 11 May 2023.

  1. On 8 May 2023, the Respondent advised the Commission via email that it does not oppose the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia’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 Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia 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 11‎ ‎May‎ ‎2023, the extension period will operate from 11‎ ‎May‎ ‎2023.

  1. An order has been separately issued in PR761798.


VICE PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR761799>

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v ARA Fire Protection Services Pty Ltd T/A ARA Fire [2023] FWC 1111
Case
[2023] FWC 1111
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia applied to the Fair Work Commission to extend the 30-day period for protected industrial action authorised by a ballot order made on 2 March 2023, which applies to certain employees of ARA Fire Protection Services Pty Ltd T/A ARA Fire. The ballot results were declared on 12 April 2023, and the 30-day period for protected action expired on 11 May 2023. The respondent did not oppose the application.

The legal issue before the Vice President was whether the extension of the 30-day period for protected industrial action was appropriate. The relevant provision of the Fair Work Act 2009 was section 459(3), which allows for an extension of the period if certain conditions are met. The Vice President considered the documentation filed and was satisfied that each of the relevant requirements of section 459 of the Act had been met and that a 30-day extension was appropriate.

In light of the above, the Vice President granted the application and extended the 30-day period for protected industrial action. The extension period will operate from 11 May 2023. An order has been separately issued in PR761798.

This decision is a reminder of the importance of following the correct procedures when seeking to extend the 30-day period for protected industrial action. The Fair Work Commission will consider applications on a case-by-case basis and will take into account the relevant provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 when making a decision.

Orders

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Background

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