Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Easy Living Home Elevators Vic Pty Limited, Easy Living Services Pty Limited

Case [2025] FWC 2254


[2025] FWC 2254

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

Easy Living Home Elevators Vic Pty Limited, Easy Living Services Pty Limited

(B2025/1220)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 1 AUGUST 2025

Easy Living Home Elevators VIC Pty Limited and Easy Living Services Pty Limited

  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 Easy Living Home Elevators Vic Pty Limited and Easy Living Services Pty Limited (Easy Living or Employers). The Commission understands that the Employers are related businesses.

  1. On 1 August 2025, the Commission was advised that the Employers, 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 Gabriel Brinduse, Organiser, setting out the steps taken by the CEPU in bargaining with the Employers and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Easy Living, 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 Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). AEC 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 12 September 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 PR790283.

  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, 30 working days from the making of the Order and was the date sought in the application.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR790284>

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Easy Living Home Elevators Vic Pty Limited, Easy Living Services Pty Limited [2025] FWC 2254
Case
[2025] FWC 2254
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission has been asked to decide on an application made 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 for a protected action ballot order. The application concerns certain employees of Easy Living Home Elevators Vic Pty Limited and Easy Living Services Pty Limited. The Commission was informed that the employers did not object to the application, leading to a decision being made without a hearing.

The legal issues before the Commission were whether there was a notification time for the proposed agreement, whether the CEPU had genuinely attempted to reach an agreement with the employers, and whether the requirements of section 443(1) of the Act were met. Based on the evidence provided, including a declaration from Gabriel Brinduse, the Organiser of the CEPU, the Commission found that all requirements had been met.

The Commission ordered that the ballot be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), which has been approved as a ballot agent. The voting period for the ballot was set to close on 12 September 2025, effectively 30 working days from the issuance of the order. This decision also established the ballot period under section 448A(2) of the Act. Additionally, a compulsory conciliation conference was to be held, and the matter was to be assigned to another Member of the Commission to facilitate 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

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Ratio Decidendi

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