"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v PPK Mining Equipment Pty Ltd [2026] FWC 696

1 Fair Work Act 2009 s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v PPK Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (B2026/165) DEPUTY PRESIDENT WRIGHT SYDNEY, 2 MARCH 2026 Proposed protected action ballot of employees of PPK Mining Equipment Pty Ltd – non-AEC ballot agent electronic voting [1] This is an application by the "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU or Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of PPK Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (PPK Mining or Employer). [2] On 27 February 2026, the Commission was advised that the Employer objected to the application, so I listed the matter for hearing on 2 March 2026. At the conclusion of the hearing the Employer withdrew its objection. [3] On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Gavin Bubb, Organiser, setting out the steps taken by the AMWU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with PPK Mining, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that all of the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met. [4] The ballot is to be conducted by Fair Vote Services Pty Ltd (Fair Vote). Fair Vote has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and is authorised to conduct the ballot. [5] For the purposes of s.443(3)(c) of the Act, the Commission has determined that the date by which voting is to close is 16 March 2026.1 This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act. [6] An Order has been separately issued in PR797287. [7] This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference. That Member will issue an Order requiring the [2026] FWC 696 DECISION -- 1 of 2 -- [2026] FWC 696 2 attendance of all bargaining representatives in the proposed enterprise agreement at the conference. It is likely that Directions will also be issued to ensure that the parties attend the conference ready to conduct meaningful negotiations. DEPUTY PRESIDENT Appearances: Mr. B. Sanchez, Legal Officer for the Applicant Mr L. Fairhall, Company Secretary for the Respondent Hearing details: 2026 2 March Online Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer <PR797288> 1 This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application. -- 2 of 2 --