National Union of Workers, New South Wales Branch v Corporate Express Australia Limited

[2011] FWA 5802

[2011] FWA 5802

FAIR WORK AUSTRALIA

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.447 - Application for variation of protected action ballot order

National Union of Workers, New South Wales Branch
v
Corporate Express Australia Limited
(B2011/3317)

COMMISSIONER HARRISON SYDNEY, 26 AUGUST 2011

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2011/115.

[1] This decision concerns an application by the National Union of Workers (the NUW) to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by a protected action ballot pursuant to s.459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act), which is set out below:

“459 Circumstances in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot

(1) Industrial action by employees is authorised by a protected action ballot if:

(a) the action was the subject of the ballot; and

(b) at least 50% of the employees on the roll of voters for the ballot voted in the ballot; and

(c) more than 50% of the valid votes were votes approving the action; and

(d) the action commences:

(i) during the 30-day period starting on the date of the declaration of the results of the ballot; or

(ii) if FWA has extended that period under subsection (3)—during the extended period.

Note: Under Division 2, industrial action by employees for a proposed enterprise agreement (other than employee response action) is not protected industrial action unless it has been authorised in advance by a protected action ballot.

(2) If:

(a) the nature of the proposed industrial action specified in the question or questions put to the employees in the protected action ballot included periods of industrial action of a particular duration; and

(b) the question or questions did not specify that consecutive periods of that industrial action may be organised or engaged in;

then only the first period in a series of consecutive periods of that industrial action is the subject of the ballot for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a).

(3) FWA 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 FWA for the period to be extended; and

(b) the period has not previously been extended.

[2] The application relates to a protected action ballot order made by me on 16 June 2011 in matter B2011/115. The ballot was declared by the AEC on 29 June 2011. A valid majority of employees eligible to vote in the ballot approved each form of industrial action proposed for consideration in the ballot. The application to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by that protected action ballot was filed on 25 August 2011 and listed for Hearing on 29 August 2011.

[3] On 26 August 2011, Corporate Express Australia Limited, (the Respondent) advised my Associate it would not be making submissions in the matter.

[4] In such circumstances, I have decided to grant the application. An order will issue accordingly. The order will operate on and from today’s date.

COMMISSIONER

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