United Workers' Union v Hussey & Co Resources Pty Ltd T/A Hussey & Co

Case [2023] FWC 1204


[2023] FWC 1204

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437—Protected action

United Workers’ Union
v

Hussey & Co Resources Pty Ltd T/A Hussey & Co

(B2023/477)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT CLANCY

MELBOURNE, 22 MAY 2023

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Hussey & Co Resources Pty Ltd Trading As Hussey & Co

  1. This is an application by the United Workers’ Union (Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Hussey & Co Resources Pty Ltd T/A Hussey & Co (Respondent).

  1. On 19 May 2023, my Associate was advised that the Respondent did not object to the application.

  1. In the circumstances, I have decided to determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing.

  1. On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Ahmad Danial Ab Jalil of the Applicant setting out the steps taken by it in bargaining with the Respondent and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with the Respondent, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met.

  1. The Applicant also sought that a person other than the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) be the ballot agent for the protected action ballot. This course was not opposed by the Respondent. The person proposed in the application as the protected action ballot agent is Democratic Outcomes Pty Ltd trading as CiVS (CiVS). Mr Michael M Michael, the Managing Director of CiVs, has provided a statutory declaration setting out that he would carry out the functions of the protected ballot agent for CiVS, and that he has relevant experience in conducting protected action ballots. I am satisfied that CiVS is a fit and proper person to conduct the ballot. I am also satisfied that Mr Michael and CiVS are capable of ensuring the secrecy and security of the votes and of conducting the ballot expeditiously. CiVs has agreed to be the protected action ballot agent and Mr Michael and CiVS are bound to comply with the Privacy Act 1998 with respect to the handling of the information relating to the protected action ballot.

  1. Therefore I appoint CiVS as the protected action ballot agent.

  1. An order has been separately issued in PR762102.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR762101>

Details
AGLC
United Workers' Union v Hussey & Co Resources Pty Ltd T/A Hussey & Co [2023] FWC 1204
Case
[2023] FWC 1204
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission heard an application from the United Workers’ Union, seeking a protected action ballot order for certain employees of Hussey & Co Resources Pty Ltd. The Respondent did not object to the application, and the matter was decided on the papers. The Union had to demonstrate that it had been genuinely trying to reach an agreement with the Respondent and that the notification time for the proposed agreement had been met. The Union also sought for a person other than the Australian Electoral Commission to be the ballot agent, which was not opposed by the Respondent.

The Deputy President examined the declaration from the Union and the statutory declaration from the proposed ballot agent, Democratic Outcomes Pty Ltd trading as CiVS, and its Managing Director, Mr Michael M Michael. The Deputy President was satisfied that CiVS was a fit and proper person to conduct the ballot and that Mr Michael and CiVS were capable of ensuring the secrecy and security of the votes and of conducting the ballot expeditiously. The Deputy President also noted that CiVS had agreed to be the protected action ballot agent and to comply with the Privacy Act 1998 regarding the handling of the information relating to the protected action ballot.

The Deputy President issued an order appointing CiVS as the protected action ballot agent, and an order was separately issued in PR762102. The Union's application was successful, and the Deputy President granted the order sought. The Union can now proceed with the protected action ballot for the employees of Hussey & Co Resources Pty Ltd.

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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