"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v BlueScope Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd & BlueScope Steel Limited [2025] FWC 1439

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 BlueScope Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd & BlueScope Steel Limited (B2025/821) DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON ADELAIDE, 26 MAY 2025 Proposed protected action ballot of employees of BlueScope Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd and BlueScope Steel Limited [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 BlueScope Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd and BlueScope Steel Limited (BlueScope or Employers). The Commission understands that the Employers are related businesses for present purposes. [2] I note that the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU)1 has made a separate application for a protected action ballot order in relation to the same proposed enterprise agreement. [3] On 26 May 2025, the Commission was advised that the Employers, in effect, did not object to the Application. [4] In the circumstances, I have decided to determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing. [5] 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 BlueScope, 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. [6] The ballot is to be conducted by Democratic Outcomes Pty Ltd (CiVS). CiVS has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and consequently is authorised to conduct the ballot. [2025] FWC 1439 DECISION -- 1 of 2 -- [2025] FWC 1439 2 [7] 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 10 June 2025.2 This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act. [8] An Order has been separately issued in PR787641. [9] This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference along with the other related matter. That Member will issue an Order requiring the 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 Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer <PR787643> 1 B2025/813 – this application has already been determined and an order made. 2 This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application. -- 2 of 2 --