CPSU, the Community and Public Sector Union v Australian Electoral Commission

[2011] FWA 7088

[2011] FWA 7088

FAIR WORK AUSTRALIA

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

CPSU, the Community and Public Sector Union
v
Australian Electoral Commission
(B2011/3729)

COMMISSIONER DEEGAN CANBERRA, 17 OCTOBER 2011

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of the Australian Electoral Commission.

[1] This is an application for a protected action ballot of members of the CPSU, the Community and Public Sector Union (Union) employed by the Australian Electoral Commission (Employer). The application is made pursuant to s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act).

[2] The Union seeks to ballot specified employees of the Employer who are members of the Union, for whom the Union is a bargaining agent, and who would be covered by the proposed enterprise agreement.

[3] The relevant section of the Act, section 443, provides as follows:

443 When FWA must make a protected action ballot order

(1) FWA must make a protected action ballot order in relation to a proposed enterprise agreement if:

(a) an application has been made under section 437; and

(b) FWA is satisfied that each applicant has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach an agreement with the employer of the employees who are to be balloted.

(2) FWA must not make a protected action ballot order in relation to a proposed enterprise agreement except in the circumstances referred to in subsection (1).

(3) A protected action ballot order must specify the following:

(a) the name of each applicant for the order;

(b) the group or groups of employees who are to be balloted;

(c) the date by which voting in the protected action ballot closes;

(d) the question or questions to be put to the employees who are to be balloted, including the nature of the proposed industrial action.

(4) If FWA decides that a person other than the Australian Electoral Commission is to be the protected action ballot agent for the protected action ballot, the protected action ballot order must also specify:

(a) the person that FWA decides, under subsection 444(1), is to be the protected action ballot agent; and

(b) the person (if any) that FWA decides, under subsection 444(3), is to be the independent advisor for the ballot.

(5) If FWA is satisfied, in relation to the proposed industrial action that is the subject of the protected action ballot, that there are exceptional circumstances justifying the period of written notice referred to in paragraph 414(2)(a) being longer than 3 working days, the protected action ballot order may specify a longer period of up to 7 working days.

[4] I am satisfied that the application has been made in accordance with s.437 of the Act.

[5] As to whether or not the applicant has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach an agreement with the employer of the employees who are to be balloted, I am satisfied that this is the case given that the Order is not opposed by the Employer.

[6] The application made by the CPSU requests that a person other than the Australian Electoral Commission is to be the protected action ballot agent for the ballot. I am satisfied that, in the circumstances of this matter, I should provide for a person other than the AEC to be the protected action ballot agent.

[7] In accordance with the CPSU application Mr Errol Hodder is appointed as the protected action ballot agent for the ballot. On the basis of an affidavit sworn by Mr Hodder on 14 October 2011 I am satisfied that he is a fit and proper person to conduct the ballot and that all other requirements prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 1 have been met.

[8] As noted, the Order is not opposed by the Employer. In the circumstances I have decided to determine the matter on the papers as I am satisfied it is not necessary to hold a hearing.

[9] As s.443(1)(a) and (b) have been complied with, I must make a protected action ballot order, as sought by the Union. My Order [PR515764] and Directions [PR515771] for the conduct of the ballot are issued separately.

COMMISSIONER

 1 Fair Work Regulations 2009 Part 3-3 Division 8 Regulation 3.11.

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<Price code A, PR515763>