v DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited

Case [2024] FWC 2664


[2024] FWC 2664

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

(B2024/1257)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 25 SEPTEMBER 2024

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2024/1014.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR778258 held in matter B2024/1014 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

<PR779624>

Details
AGLC
v DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited [2024] FWC 2664
Case
[2024] FWC 2664
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission dealt with an application from the United Workers' Union seeking to extend the 30-day period within which industrial action could be taken by employees following a protected action ballot. The application was made under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 and concerned the extension of the time period for industrial action authorised by the ballot held in matter B2024/1014. The employer, DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited, did not oppose the application but did not make any submissions, leaving the determination to the Commission.

The primary legal issue for the Commission was whether the application met the statutory criteria for an extension of the 30-day period. Section 459(3) of the Act allows for an extension if the applicant for the protected action ballot order applies to the Commission for the period to be extended and if the period has not already been extended. The Commission needed to ascertain if these conditions were satisfied.

The Deputy President Hampton determined that the application fulfilled the requirements of the Act. DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited had not previously extended the period, and the Union had applied for the extension. Consequently, the Deputy President was satisfied that the application should be granted. The extension was ordered to take effect from 25 September 2024, thereby extending the 30-day period for protected industrial action by a further 30 days.

The final order granted the application, extending the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible employees employed by DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited. This extension was set to operate 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

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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