Independent Education Union of Australia v The Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Rockhampton T/A Diocesan Catholic Education Office Rockhampton

Case [2023] FWC 2029


[2023] FWC 2029

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.459 - Application to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot

Independent Education Union of Australia
v

The Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Rockhampton T/A Diocesan Catholic Education Office - Rockhampton

(B2023/834)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 15 AUGUST 2023

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2023/616

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot (PR763440) held in matter B2023/616 and declared on 22 June 2023.

  1. The Independent Education Union of Australia (IEU or Applicant) 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 IEU contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. The Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Rockhampton T/A Diocesan Catholic Education Office (Diocesan Catholic Education Office Rockhampton) has not advised the Commission of any 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 IEU members employed by Diocesan Catholic Education Office Rockhampton be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 15 August 2023.


DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR765183>

Details
AGLC
Independent Education Union of Australia v The Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Rockhampton T/A Diocesan Catholic Education Office Rockhampton [2023] FWC 2029
Case
[2023] FWC 2029
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the Fair Work Commission, the Independent Education Union of Australia has applied for an extension of the 30-day period during which industrial action is authorised by a protected action ballot. The application is in relation to a dispute with the Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Rockhampton, trading as the Diocesan Catholic Education Office Rockhampton. The application seeks to extend the period for protected industrial action by a further 30 days, pursuant to section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. The Diocesan Catholic Education Office Rockhampton has not objected to the application.

The court was required to determine whether the Independent Education Union of Australia had met the requirements of the Fair Work Act to extend the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action. The court was to assess if the applicant had applied for the extension and if the period had not already been extended. The Diocesan Catholic Education Office Rockhampton had not raised any objections to the application.

The court considered the application and found that the requirements of the Fair Work Act had been met. The court was satisfied that the Independent Education Union of Australia had applied for the extension and that the period had not been previously extended. Therefore, the court granted the application and ordered that the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible IEU members employed by the Diocesan Catholic Education Office Rockhampton be extended by a further 30 days.

This order will take effect from 15 August 2023. The Independent Education Union of Australia may now take protected industrial action for a total of 60 days from the date of the protected action ballot.

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

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