Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Hunternet Group Training Pty Limited Summary

[2025] FWC 2324

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.236 - Application for a majority support determination

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

Hunternet Group Training Pty Limited

(B2025/824)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT SAUNDERS

NEWCASTLE, 8 AUGUST 2025

Majority support determination – majority of employees want to bargain.

Further to my earlier decision in this matter,[1] today I have compared the names of employees on the petitions provided by the CEPU with the List of names provided by Hunternet of its Electrical Apprentices in New South Wales and the ACT, who were employed by Hunternet on 30 June 2025.

More than half of the employees on the List have signed a petition indicating that they want to bargain with Hunternet for an enterprise agreement. It follows that I am satisfied that a majority of the employees who will be covered by the proposed enterprise agreement want to bargain.

This matter is listed for directions, by telephone, at 3pm on 11 August 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

[1] [2025] FWC 2232

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission has reviewed an application for a majority support determination from the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia against Hunternet Group Training Pty Limited. The Union seeks to negotiate an enterprise agreement on behalf of Hunternet's electrical apprentices in New South Wales and the ACT. The Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission, Saunders, presided over the case in Newcastle on 8 August 2025.

The central legal issue before the court was whether a majority of Hunternet's electrical apprentices wished to be represented by the Union in negotiations for an enterprise agreement. The court examined the petitions submitted by the Union, comparing the names of employees who signed the petitions with the list of Hunternet's electrical apprentices employed on 30 June 2025. The Deputy President found that more than half of the employees on the list had signed a petition indicating their desire to bargain for an enterprise agreement. As a result, the court was satisfied that a majority of the employees who would be covered by the proposed enterprise agreement wanted to bargain.

In light of the findings, the Deputy President concluded that a majority of the employees wished to be represented by the Union for bargaining purposes. Consequently, the application for a majority support determination was granted. The case is scheduled for a directions hearing via telephone on 11 August 2025 at 3pm. The Deputy President's decision affirms the Union's right to represent the employees in negotiations for an enterprise agreement.

Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Hunternet Group Training Pty Limited

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established