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

Case [2022] FWC 380


[2022] FWC 380

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437—Protected action

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

Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd

(B2022/92)

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI

SYDNEY, 23 FEBRUARY 2022

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd

  1. This is an application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) (Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd (Respondent).

  1. On 18 February 2022, the Fair Work Commission was advised that the Respondent did not oppose 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 statutory declaration of Clint Hill of the Applicant declared on 16 February 2022, setting out the steps taken by it in bargaining with the Respondent and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with the Respondent, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met.

  1. An Order has been separately issued in PR738641.


VICE PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR738642>

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd [2022] FWC 380
Case
[2022] FWC 380
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission was presented with an application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) seeking a protected action ballot order concerning employees of Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd. The application was made under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009. Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd did not oppose the application. As a result, the Vice President Catanzariti decided to determine the matter based on the provided documentation, without holding a hearing.

The legal issues before the court involved whether the CEPU had fulfilled the requirements set forth in section 443(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009, specifically concerning the notification period for the proposed agreement. The court also needed to confirm whether the union had genuinely been attempting to reach an agreement with Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd.

Upon reviewing the statutory declaration of Clint Hill of the CEPU, dated 16 February 2022, which detailed the steps taken by the union in bargaining with Progress Rail Australia Pty Ltd, the court was satisfied that the union had met the notification period requirements and had genuinely attempted to reach an agreement. The court found that the requirements under section 443(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009 had been met. Consequently, the court granted the application for a protected action ballot order.

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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