| [2024] FWC 3601 |
| 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
Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union
v
R&L Services Victoria Pty Ltd T/A VicRoads
(B2024/1701)
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON | ADELAIDE, 30 DECEMBER 2024 |
Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2024/1367.
This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR780455 held in matter B2024/1367 and declared on 3 December 2024.
The Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services 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.
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.”
The application contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days.
R&L Services Victoria Pty Ltd has advised the Commission that it does not object to this application.
I am satisfied that the relevant requirements of the Act have been met and that the application should be granted.
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.
This order will operate on and from 2 January 2025.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<PR782878>
- AGLC
- v R&L Services Victoria Pty Ltd T/A VicRoads [2024] FWC 3601
- Case
- [2024] FWC 3601
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The central legal issue before the FWC was whether the application met the statutory criteria for extending the 30-day period during which industrial action is authorised. Specifically, the Commission needed to determine if the Union's application was made within the allowable timeframe and if the period had not already been extended. Section 459(3) of the Act stipulates that the FWC may extend the 30-day period by up to 30 days if the applicant for the protected action ballot order applies for the extension and if the period has not been previously extended. The Union's application asserts that both conditions are met, and VicRoads has not contested this.
The Deputy President of the FWC, Hampton, concluded that the Union's application met the requirements set out in section 459(3) of the Act. VicRoads' lack of opposition further supported the application's validity. The Deputy President was satisfied that all statutory criteria had been fulfilled, thereby granting the Union's application for an extension. Consequently, the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible employees who were subject to the ballot and are employed by VicRoads is extended by an additional 30 days. This extension will take effect from 2 January 2025.
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