v Centennial Mandalong Pty Limited

Case [2024] FWC 2781


[2024] FWC 2781

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

Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia

v

Centennial Mandalong Pty Limited

(B2024/1302)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 4 OCTOBER 2024

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2024/1085.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR778658 held in matter B2024/1085 and declared on 9 September 2024.

  1. The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia 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. Centennial Mandalong Pty Limited 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 4 October 2024.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR779993>

Details
AGLC
v Centennial Mandalong Pty Limited [2024] FWC 2781
Case
[2024] FWC 2781
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission received an application from the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia to extend the 30-day period during which industrial action could be authorised by a protected action ballot held in relation to Centennial Mandalong Pty Limited. The matter pertains to a protected action ballot, PR778658, which was declared on 9 September 2024. The association sought an extension under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009, arguing that the statutory requirements for an extension were fulfilled and that the period should be extended by an additional 30 days. Centennial Mandalong Pty Limited did not oppose the application.

The central legal issue was whether the Commission was justified in extending the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action. This hinged on whether the requirements outlined in section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 had been met, specifically if the applicant for the protected action ballot order had applied for the extension and if the period had not been previously extended. The Commission needed to determine if the application met these criteria and, if so, whether it should grant the requested extension.

After considering the application, the Deputy President Hampton concluded that the statutory requirements for the extension had indeed been met. The application was made by the association, the relevant applicant, and there had been no previous extension of the 30-day period. As a result, the Deputy President Hampton was satisfied that the application should be granted. The decision was made to extend the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action by a further 30 days, effective from 4 October 2024.

The Fair Work Commission ordered that the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible employees who were subject to the ballot and employed by Centennial Mandalong Pty Limited be extended by a further 30 days, starting from 4 October 2024.

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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