United Workers' Union v Thales Australia Limited

[2024] FWC 3417

[2024] FWC 3417

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

United Workers' Union
v

Thales Australia Limited

(B2024/1599)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON ADELAIDE, 6 DECEMBER 2024

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Thales Australia Limited

1. This is an application by the United Workers’ Union (UWU or Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Thales Australia Limited (Thales or Employer).

1. I note that the Application by "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU)[1]  has made a separate application for a protected action ballot order in relation to the same proposed enterprise agreement.

1. On 5 December 2024, the Commission was advised that the Employer, in effect, did not object to the Application, as amended.[2]

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 Ian Madgwick, Co-ordinator, setting out the steps taken by the UWU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Thales, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that all of  the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met.

1. The ballot is to be conducted by Fair Vote Services Pty Ltd (Fair Vote). Fair Vote has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and consequently is authorised to conduct the ballot.

1. For the purposes of s.443(3)(c) of the Act, the Commission has determined that the date by which voting is to close is 19 December 2024.[3] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

1. An Order has been separately issued in PR782173.

1. This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference along with the other related matter. That Member will issue an Order requiring the attendance of all bargaining representatives in the proposed enterprise agreement at the conference. It is likely that Directions will also be issued to ensure that the parties attend the conference ready to conduct meaningful negotiations.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

[1] B2024/1588.

[2] The UWU provided an amended F34 and Draft Order to ensure the employees to be balloted and the date voting is to close was consistent between the forms.

[3] This is, in effect, 9 working days from the making of the Order and was the date sought in the application.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

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