v DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited

Case [2024] FWC 2644


[2024] FWC 2644

The attached document replaces the document previously issued with the above code on 25 September 2024.

Paragraph 5 has been amended to better reflect the nature of the Respondent Employer’s position in relation to the application.

Associate to Deputy President Hampton.

Dated 25 September 2024.

[2024] FWC 2644

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

DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited

(B2024/1251)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 25 SEPTEMBER 2024

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2024/1019.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR778270 held in matter B2024/1019 and declared on 3 September 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. DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited has advised the Commission that it did not consent to the application and did not seek to make any further submissions. However, it stated that the determination of the application was a matter for the Commission to be satisfied as to whether the requirements of the Act have been met. It consented to the application being determined on the papers.

  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 25 September 2024.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR779585>

Details
AGLC
v DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited [2024] FWC 2644
Case
[2024] FWC 2644
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission, presided over by Deputy President Hampton, heard an application by the United Workers' Union to extend the 30-day period within which industrial action could be taken following a protected action ballot held by DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited. The ballot, which had been declared on 3 September 2024, authorised the union to engage in industrial action within the statutory 30-day period. The Union sought an extension of this period under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009, arguing that all prerequisites for such an extension were satisfied. DHL Supply Chain opposed the application but did not contest the Commission's jurisdiction to decide the matter based on the evidence provided.

The legal issue before the Commission was whether the application met the statutory criteria for extending the 30-day period for industrial action. Section 459(3) of the Act allows for an extension if the applicant for the protected action ballot order applies for it and if the period has not already been extended. The Union argued that the application was made within the requisite timeframe and that the period had not been extended previously. DHL Supply Chain did not dispute these points, focusing instead on the Commission's discretion in determining the application.

The Deputy President concluded that the application satisfied the statutory requirements for an extension. The Union had applied for the extension, and the 30-day period had not previously been extended. Given these facts, the Deputy President granted the application, extending the period for the commencement of protected industrial action by a further 30 days. This extension took effect from 25 September 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 are employed by DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited be extended by a further 30 days, effective from 25 September 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

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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