v Boral Construction Materials Group Ltd T/A Boral

Case [2025] FWC 365


[2025] FWC 365

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

Australian Workers' Union

v

Boral Construction Materials Group Ltd T/A Boral

(B2025/217)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 7 FEBRUARY 2025

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2024/1554.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR781761 held in matter B2024/1554 and declared on 14 January 2025.

  1. The Australian Workers' Union 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 contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. Boral Construction Materials Group Ltd trading as Boral 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 employees who were subject to the ballot and are employed by the Employer be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 12 February 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR784150>

Details
AGLC
v Boral Construction Materials Group Ltd T/A Boral [2025] FWC 365
Case
[2025] FWC 365
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Workers' Union applied to the Fair Work Commission to extend the 30-day period during which industrial action is authorised by a protected action ballot, as declared in matter B2024/1554 on 14 January 2025. The application was made pursuant to section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009, which allows for an extension of the 30-day period if certain conditions are met. The primary condition for such an extension is that the period has not already been extended previously. Boral Construction Materials Group Ltd, trading as Boral, did not object to the application. The Deputy President Hampton was tasked with determining whether the requirements for an extension had been met.

The legal issue before the Deputy President was whether the Fair Work Commission had the authority to extend the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action under the specified circumstances. The Deputy President considered the application against the statutory requirements set out in section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. Given that the union's application was made within the stipulated timeframe and the period had not been previously extended, the Deputy President found that all statutory requirements had been satisfied.

In granting the application, the Deputy President determined that the conditions for extending the 30-day period were indeed met. Consequently, the Fair Work Commission ordered that the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible employees be extended by a further 30 days, starting from 12 February 2025. This decision was based on the statutory authority provided by section 459(3) of the Act and the absence of any objection from the employer.

Orders

Orders of the court

Full text does not contain this section.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.