Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance v Australian Centre for Contemporary Art

Case [2023] FWC 2219


[2023] FWC 2219

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.459—Protected action

Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance

v

Australian Centre For Contemporary Art

(B2023/912)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 4 SEPTEMBER 2023

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Australian Centre for Contemporary Art

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot (PR763478) held in matter B2023/628 and declared on 2 August 2023.

  1. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA 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 MEAA contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. Australian Centre For Contemporary Art (ACCA) 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 MEAA members employed by ACCA be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 4 September 2023.


DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR765793>

Details
AGLC
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance v Australian Centre for Contemporary Art [2023] FWC 2219
Case
[2023] FWC 2219
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) applied to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to extend the 30-day period during which industrial action is authorised by a protected action ballot, held in relation to employees of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA). The ACCA did not object to the application, and the matter was considered by Deputy President Hampton. The primary issue for the FWC was whether the application met the statutory criteria for an extension of the protected action period, specifically under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. The FWC determined that the conditions for an extension were satisfied, as the application was made by an applicant for the protected action ballot order, and the period had not been previously extended.

In reaching its decision, the FWC found that the MEAA had fulfilled the necessary prerequisites for the extension of the protected action period. The Deputy President was satisfied that the statutory conditions were met, and thus, the application for an extension was approved. The extension was granted for an additional 30 days, commencing from the date of the order, 4 September 2023. This decision ensures that the authorised industrial action can proceed within the extended timeframe, providing a period for further negotiations or resolution of the underlying dispute between the MEAA and the ACCA.

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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