Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v Ch4 Drilling Pty Ltd

Case [2023] FWC 1700


[2023] FWC 1700

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.459—Protected action

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union
v

Ch4 Drilling Pty Ltd

(B2023/704)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 13 JULY 2023

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2023/404.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot (PR761670) held in matter B2023/404 and declared on 21 June 2023.

  1. The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) has made an application pursuant to s.459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by the relevant protected action ballot.

  1. Section 459(3) of the Act provides as follows:

“(3) The FWC may extend the 30-day period referred to in subparagraph (1)(d)(i) by up to 30 days if:

(a) an applicant for the protected action ballot order applies to the FWC for the period to be extended; and

(b)     the period has not previously been extended.”

  1. The application made by the CFMMEU contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. Ch4 Drilling Pty Ltd has advised the Commission it has no objection to this application.

  1. I am satisfied that the relevant requirements of the Act have been met and that the application should be granted.

  1. Accordingly, pursuant to section 459(3) of the Act, I order that the 30 day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible CFMMEU members employed by Ch4 Drilling Pty Ltd be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 13 July 2023.


DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR764201>

Details
AGLC
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v Ch4 Drilling Pty Ltd [2023] FWC 1700
Case
[2023] FWC 1700
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) sought an extension of the 30-day period in which industrial action could be authorised by a relevant protected action ballot, in relation to a matter concerning the declaration of the result of a ballot held in matter B2023/404. The application was made pursuant to section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act), which allows for an extension of the 30-day period by up to 30 days if certain requirements are met. Ch4 Drilling Pty Ltd, the employer, had no objection to the application. The central legal issue was whether the requirements of the Act for extending the 30-day period had been satisfied. Specifically, it was necessary to determine if the applicant had applied for the extension and whether the period had not previously been extended. Given that the CFMMEU had fulfilled these conditions and Ch4 Drilling Pty Ltd did not oppose the application, the Deputy President concluded that the requirements had been met and granted the extension. The decision was made on 13 July 2023, and the order extended the 30-day period by a further 30 days from that date.

Orders

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

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Decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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