CPSU, the Community and Public Sector Union v Bureau of Meteorology

[2011] FWA 6404

[2011] FWA 6404

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
Bureau of Meteorology
(B2011/3405)

“Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union
v
Bureau of Meteorology
(B2011/3406)

COMMISSIONER SMITH MELBOURNE, 16 SEPTEMBER 2011

Proposed protected action ballot by employees of the Bureau of Meteorology.

[1] These are applications for a protected action ballot by members of the CPSU, the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) employed by the Bureau of Meteorology. The applications are made pursuant to s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).

[2] The applicant seeks to ballot employees of the Bureau of Meteorology who are members of the aforementioned unions and who would be covered by the proposed enterprise agreement.

[3] In considering this matter I must apply s.443 of the Act which provides:

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.

Note: Under subsection 414(1), before a person engages in employee claim action for a proposed enterprise agreement, a bargaining representative of an employee who will be covered by the agreement must give written notice of the action to the employer of the employee.

[4] To begin, I am satisfied that the applications have been made in accordance with s.437 of the Act.

[5] The next matter to which attention must be given is whether or not the applicants have been, and are, genuinely trying to reach an agreement with the employer of the employees who are to be balloted. The Bureau of Meteorology conceded that the unions were genuinely trying to reach agreement. I am further satisfied, after hearing submissions from Mr Benfell and Mr Hanisch, on behalf of the respective unions, that this is the case.

[6] Having decided that s.443(1)(a) and (b) have been complied with, I must make a protected action ballot order, as sought by the unions.

[7] During the proceedings the Bureau of Meteorology sought an order pursuant to s.443(5) increasing the period of written notice from 3 days to 7 days. In circumstances where the employer is operating in a regional location and is staffed with only one or two employees, the timeframe under s.443(5) will be 7 days. A timeframe of three days will apply to employees in all other locations.

[8] My orders will issue shortly.

COMMISSIONER

Appearances:

L. Benfell with K Barnes for the CPSU, the Community and Public Sector Union.

D. Hanisch for the “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union.

C. Stocks with G. Milner and A. Hall on behalf of the Bureau of Meteorology.

Hearing details:

2011.
Melbourne:
September, 16.

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