| [2023] FWC 1627 |
| 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
Fenner Dunlop Australia Pty Ltd T/A Fenner Conveyors
(B2023/672)
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON | ADELAIDE, 5 JULY 2023 |
Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Fenner Dunlop Australia Pty Ltd
This is an application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of the Respondent, Fenner Dunlop Australia Pty Ltd T/A Fenner Conveyors (Fenner Conveyors or Respondent).
On 4 July 2023, the Commission was advised that the Respondent did not object to the Application.
In the circumstances, I have decided to determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing.
On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Ms Chelsea Hill, Legal and Industrial Administrative Facilitator of the CEPU , setting out the steps taken by the CEPU in bargaining with the Respondent and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Fenner Conveyors, 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.
The ballot is to be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission. For the purposes of s.443(3)(c) and s.448A(2) of the Act, a ballot period of 30 working days from the date of the Order (3 July 2023) has been established by this Commission.[1]
An order has been separately issued in PR763921.
This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A conference and this Member will issue the Order requiring attendance 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] 1This is the minimum period required by the Australian Electoral Commission.
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<PR763923>
- AGLC
- Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Fenner Dunlop Australia Pty Ltd T/A Fenner Conveyors [2023] FWC 1627
- Case
- [2023] FWC 1627
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The legal issues before the Commission involved determining whether the CEPU had genuinely tried to reach an agreement with Fenner Conveyors, and if all requirements under section 443(1) of the Act were met. The application for a ballot order hinged on these conditions being satisfied. Ms Chelsea Hill, the Legal and Industrial Administrative Facilitator of the CEPU, submitted a declaration detailing the union’s efforts in bargaining and its genuine attempts to reach an agreement with Fenner Conveyors. The Commission needed to verify that these efforts were legitimate and that all procedural requirements were fulfilled.
The Deputy President of the Commission, Hampton, found that the CEPU had indeed been genuinely trying to reach an agreement and that all the statutory requirements were met. Consequently, the Commission decided to grant the application for a protected action ballot order. The ballot was to be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission, with a ballot period set at a minimum of 30 working days from the date of the order, which was 3 July 2023. Additionally, a separate order was issued to assign the matter to another member of the Commission for the s.448A conference, and directions were to be issued to ensure the parties’ attendance and readiness for meaningful 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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