v Ensign Services (Australia) Pty Ltd T/A Linen Services Australia

Case [2025] FWC 441


[2025] FWC 441

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

Ensign Services (Australia) Pty Ltd T/A Linen Services Australia

(B2025/243)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 13 FEBRUARY 2025

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2024/1628.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR782341 held in matter B2024/1628 and declared on 10 January 2025.

  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. Ensign Services (Australia) Pty Ltd T/A Linen Services Australia 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 13 February 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR784355>

Details
AGLC
v Ensign Services (Australia) Pty Ltd T/A Linen Services Australia [2025] FWC 441
Case
[2025] FWC 441
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The United Workers' Union has applied to the Fair Work Commission for an extension of the 30-day period within which industrial action is authorised by a protected action ballot. The matter pertains to the declaration of the result of a ballot held in relation to Ensign Services (Australia) Pty Ltd T/A Linen Services Australia, which was declared on 10 January 2025. The Commission was required to determine whether the 30-day period could be extended in accordance with section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009.

The primary issue before the Commission was whether the statutory criteria for extending the 30-day period had been satisfied. Specifically, the Commission needed to ascertain if the Union had made an application to the Commission for an extension and whether the period had not been previously extended. Ensign Services indicated it had no objections to the application, further simplifying the Commission's task.

The Deputy President concluded that the Union's application met all the statutory requirements for an extension. The 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible employees who were subject to the ballot and are employed by Ensign Services was accordingly extended by an additional 30 days. This order took effect from 13 February 2025.

Orders

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

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Decision

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Ratio Decidendi

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