Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Vic Tech Consulting & Construction Pty Ltd

Case [2022] FWC 2709


[2022] FWC 2709

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

Vic Tech Consulting & Construction Pty Ltd

(B2022/1532)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT CLANCY

MELBOURNE, 10 OCTOBER 2022

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Vic Tech Consulting & Construction 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 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Vic Tech Consulting & Construction Pty Ltd (Respondent).

  1. On 10 October 2022, my Associate was advised that the Respondent did not object to 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 declaration of Ms Chelsea Hill of the Applicant 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 PR746640.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR746639>

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Vic Tech Consulting & Construction Pty Ltd [2022] FWC 2709
Case
[2022] FWC 2709
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission heard an application from the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia seeking a protected action ballot order concerning certain employees of Vic Tech Consulting & Construction Pty Ltd. The application was made under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The Union sought the order following unsuccessful bargaining efforts with the company. Vic Tech Consulting & Construction Pty Ltd did not object to the application, leading the Deputy President to determine the matter based on the documentation provided.

The legal issues before the court were whether the Union had fulfilled the prerequisites for a protected action ballot order under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009, and whether the Union had genuinely attempted to reach an agreement with Vic Tech Consulting & Construction Pty Ltd during the bargaining process. The Union submitted a declaration from Ms Chelsea Hill, outlining the steps taken in bargaining and affirming the Union's genuine efforts to reach an agreement with the company.

The Deputy President found that the Union had satisfied the requirements for a protected action ballot order, as outlined in section 443(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009. The court accepted that the Union had genuinely attempted to reach an agreement with Vic Tech Consulting & Construction Pty Ltd and that there was a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement. Consequently, the court granted the Union's application for a protected action ballot order.

In summary, the Fair Work Commission granted the application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia for a protected action ballot order concerning certain employees of Vic Tech Consulting & Construction Pty Ltd. The Deputy President determined the matter based on the documentation provided, finding that the Union had met the requirements for the order and had genuinely attempted to reach an agreement with the company during the bargaining process.

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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