Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Vestas Australian Wind Technology Pty Limited

Case [2022] FWC 2416


[2022] FWC 2416

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.459—Protected action

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

Vestas - Australian Wind Technology Pty Limited

(B2022/1336)

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI

SYDNEY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2022

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2022/1145

  1. On 5 September 2022, the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (Applicant) made an application to the Fair Work Commission (the Commission) pursuant to s.459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act) to extend the 30 day period for protected action authorised by a protected action ballot order, PR744342 made on 29 July 2022. The Order applies to certain employees of Vestas - Australian Wind Technology Pty Limited (the Respondent).

  1. The ballot result, by which a majority of the relevant employees endorsed the proposed forms of protected industrial action, was declared on 12 August 2022. Pursuant to s. 459(1)(d)(i) of the Act, the 30 day period for protected action commenced on the date of the declaration of the results of the ballot and therefore expired at midnight on 10 September 2022.

  1. The Respondent neither consented nor objected to the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia’s application to extend the 30 day period for protected industrial action. Accordingly, I have determined the matter on the basis of the documentation filed.

  1. In addressing s.459(3) of the Act, this application is made by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia who is the Applicant for which the protected action ballot order was issued. Furthermore, the period specified in s.459(1)(d)(i) has not been previously extended.

  1. On that basis and on the material before me, I am satisfied that each of the relevant requirements of s.459 of the Act have been met and that a 30 day extension is appropriate. As the 30 day period expired at midnight on 10 September 2022, the extension period will operate from 10 September 2022.

  1. An order has been separately issued in PR745713.

VICE PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR745714>

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Vestas Australian Wind Technology Pty Limited [2022] FWC 2416
Case
[2022] FWC 2416
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission considered an application from the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia to extend the period for protected industrial action authorised by a protected action ballot order. The application was made under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 and related to employees of Vestas - Australian Wind Technology Pty Limited. The respondent did not object to the application, leaving the Commission to decide based on the documentation provided.

The primary legal issue for the Commission was whether the applicant had met the requirements of section 459 of the Fair Work Act 2009 to extend the period for protected industrial action. This involved considering the procedural correctness of the application and whether the conditions specified in the Act had been satisfied. The Commission noted that the period in question had not been previously extended and that the application was made within the stipulated timeframe.

The Fair Work Commission found that the applicant had met all the relevant requirements under section 459 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The Commission determined that it was appropriate to grant the 30-day extension for the protected action, which would commence from 10 September 2022, the date on which the initial 30-day period expired. The decision was made based on the merits of the application and the lack of objections from the respondent.

An order was subsequently issued in PR745713, confirming the extension of the period for protected industrial action as determined by the Fair Work Commission. This decision ensures that the union can continue its industrial action within the extended timeframe, providing clarity and resolution to the parties involved.

Orders

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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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