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

Case [2025] FWC 2211


[2025] FWC 2211

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

Dormakaba Australia Pty Ltd

(B2025/1194)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 30 JULY 2025

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Dormakaba Australia 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 Dormakaba Australia Pty Ltd (Dormakaba or Employer).

  1. On 29 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 Mitchell Brennan, 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 Dormakaba, 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 14 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 PR790142.

  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

<PR790143>

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Dormakaba Australia Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 2211
Case
[2025] FWC 2211
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission dealt with an application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The union sought a protected action ballot order for employees of Dormakaba Australia Pty Ltd. The employer did not object to the application, leading the Deputy President Hampton to determine the matter without a hearing. The Commission was satisfied with the union's efforts to reach an agreement with Dormakaba and that the requirements of section 443(1) of the Act had been met.

The legal issues before the court involved verifying whether the union had genuinely tried to reach an agreement with the employer and if all procedural requirements for a protected action ballot were fulfilled. The court had to ensure that the union's application complied with the Act and that the ballot agent, Vero Engagement and Voting Solutions Pty Ltd, was appropriately authorised. The court also had to set a closing date for the voting, considering the notification time and the requirements of section 443(3)(c) of the Act.

After reviewing the declarations and submissions, the Deputy President Hampton determined that the union had genuinely attempted to reach an agreement and that all procedural requirements were met. The Commission authorised Vero Voting to conduct the ballot and set the closing date for voting as 14 August 2025. This date also served as the ballot period under section 448A(2) of the Act. The decision also addressed the need for a compulsory conciliation conference to be held under section 448A of the Act, to be overseen by another member of the Commission.

The court issued an order approving the ballot and setting the closing date for voting. Additionally, it directed that a compulsory conciliation conference be held and that all bargaining representatives attend, ready to negotiate meaningfully. This decision ensured that the procedural requirements were met and facilitated the next steps in the bargaining process.

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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