v CHEP Australia Limited

Case [2025] FWC 74


[2025] FWC 74

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

United Workers' Union

v

CHEP Australia Limited

(B2025/20)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 9 JANUARY 2025

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2024/1566.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR781848 held in matter B2024/1566 and declared on 13 December 2024.

  1. The United 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. CHEP Australia Limited has advised the Commission it has no 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 11 January 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR783107>

Details
AGLC
v CHEP Australia Limited [2025] FWC 74
Case
[2025] FWC 74
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involves an application by the United Workers' Union to extend the 30-day period during which industrial action is authorised by a protected action ballot. The application was made against CHEP Australia Limited and was heard by the Fair Work Commission under section 459 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The application concerns a protected action ballot held in relation to matter B2024/1566, which was declared on 13 December 2024. The Union seeks to extend the 30-day period in which protected industrial action can be taken by eligible employees who participated in the ballot.

The legal issues the court needed to address were whether the application met the requirements of section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. Specifically, the court needed to determine if the applicant had applied for the extension, and if the period had not previously been extended. The Union argued that both conditions were satisfied and that the period should be extended by an additional 30 days. CHEP Australia Limited did not object to the application.

The Deputy President found that the application met the requirements of the Act. The Union had applied for the extension, and there was no evidence that the period had been extended previously. The Deputy President concluded that the application should be granted. The Deputy President ordered 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 CHEP Australia Limited be extended by a further 30 days, effective from 11 January 2025.

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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