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

Case [2025] FWC 337


[2025] FWC 337

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 T/A Chubb Fire Safety

(B2025/210)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 6 FEBRUARY 2025

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd T/A Chubb Fire Safety

  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 trading as Chubb Fire Safety (Chubb or Employer).

  1. On 6 February 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 Bradley McDougall, 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 Vero Engagement and Voting Solutions Pty Ltd (Vero Voting). Vero Voting 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 20 February 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 PR784069.

  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

<PR784070>

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd T/A Chubb Fire Safety [2025] FWC 337
Case
[2025] FWC 337
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) was presented with an application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) for a protected action ballot order concerning certain employees of Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd. The CEPU sought to conduct the ballot as part of its efforts to reach an agreement with the employer regarding a proposed enterprise agreement. Chubb did not object to the application, leading the Deputy President Hampton to determine the matter on the papers without a hearing.

The legal issues before the court were whether the CEPU had met all requirements under s.443(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009 for a protected action ballot and if the notification time for the proposed agreement had been properly determined. Additionally, the court needed to ascertain whether Vero Engagement and Voting Solutions Pty Ltd, the proposed ballot agent, was eligible to conduct the ballot.

The FWC concluded that the CEPU had satisfied all statutory requirements for a protected action ballot, including demonstrating that it had genuinely tried to reach an agreement with the employer. The Deputy President found that a notification period existed for the proposed agreement, and all conditions under s.443(1) of the Act were met. Vero Voting, as the proposed ballot agent, was approved under s.468A of the Act, allowing the ballot to proceed. The court set the closing date for the ballot as 20 February 2025, which aligns with the sought period of 10 working days from the order date. The Commission also noted that the matter would be assigned to another member for a compulsory conciliation conference under s.448A of the Act.

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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