Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd

Case [2025] FWC 2083


[2025] FWC 2083

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

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

Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd

(B2025/1152)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

MELBOURNE, 18 JULY 2025

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd

  1. This is an application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU 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 Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd (Chubb or Employer).

  1. On 16 July 2025, 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 James Little, Organiser, setting out the steps taken by the CEPU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Chubb, 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 1 August 2025.[1] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

  1. An Order has been separately issued in PR789754.

  1. This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference. 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] This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR789755>

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 2083
Case
[2025] FWC 2083
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission considered an application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) for a protected action ballot order against Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd (Chubb). The application was made under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009. CEPU sought to conduct a ballot for protected action due to an impasse in bargaining with Chubb over a proposed enterprise agreement. Chubb did not object to the application, allowing the matter to be determined on the papers without a hearing.

The key legal issues were whether the requirements for a protected action ballot under section 437 of the Fair Work Act had been met. The court needed to determine if there was a notification period for the proposed agreement, and if CEPU had genuinely attempted to reach an agreement with Chubb. The declaration by James Little, an Organiser for CEPU, stated that the union had been genuinely trying to reach an agreement with Chubb. The Commission also needed to set a date by which voting was to close, as required by section 443(3)(c) of the Act.

The Deputy President was satisfied that CEPU had met all the requirements for a ballot under the Act. CEPU had provided sufficient evidence of its attempts to negotiate with Chubb. The Deputy President also determined that the voting period for the ballot would close on 1 August 2025, effectively 10 working days from the making of the Order. The Commission authorised Democratic Outcomes Pty Ltd to conduct the ballot as they are an approved ballot agent. The matter was then assigned to another Member of the Commission for a compulsory conciliation conference to facilitate further negotiations.

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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