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

Case [2022] FWC 609


[2022] FWC 609

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

Ventia Australia Pty Ltd and Downer Utilities Pty Ltd

(B2022/206)

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI

SYDNEY, 18 MARCH 2022

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Ventia Australia Pty Ltd and Downer Utilities Pty Ltd

  1. This is an application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (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 Ventia Australia Pty Ltd and Downer Utilities Pty Ltd (Respondent).

  1. On 16 March 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 Steve Bankes of the Applicant declared on 15 March 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 PR739448.

VICE PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR739449>

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Ventia Australia Pty Ltd and Downer Utilities Pty Ltd [2022] FWC 609
Case
[2022] FWC 609
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) dealt with an application brought by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (the Union) against Ventia Australia Pty Ltd and Downer Utilities Pty Ltd (the Employers). The Union sought a protected action ballot order under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009, relating to certain employees of the Employers. The Employers did not oppose the application, leading the FWC to determine the matter on the papers without a hearing.

The legal issues for the FWC to decide included whether there was a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and if the requirements of section 443(1) of the Fair Work Act had been met. The FWC also needed to ascertain whether the Union had genuinely tried to reach an agreement with the Employers.

The FWC, after reviewing the statutory declaration of Steve Bankes of the Union, found that there was a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement. The Union had demonstrated that it had been genuinely attempting to reach an agreement with the Employers. The FWC was satisfied that the requirements in section 443(1) of the Act had been met. Consequently, the FWC granted the Union's application for a protected action ballot order.

The Fair Work Commission issued an order granting the Union's application for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Ventia Australia Pty Ltd and Downer Utilities Pty Ltd. The order was issued in PR739448.

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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