"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU)- Queensland Branch [2025] FWC 2514
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Fair Work Act 2009
s.236 - Application for a majority support determination
"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries
Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU)-
Queensland Branch
(B2025/1199)
DEPUTY PRESIDENT BUTLER BRISBANE, 27 AUGUST 2025
Application for a majority support determination – application granted
[1] On 25 July 2025 the "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred
Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) applied
to the Fair Work Commission (the Commission) for a Majority Support Determination.
[2] The AMWU made the application pursuant to section 236 of the Fair Work Act 2009
(Cth) (the Fair Work Act). It is necessary to have regard to the requirements in section 237 of
the Fair Work Act, in deciding the application.
[3] The application sought a determination in respect to members of the AMWU employed
by Oji Fibre Solutions (Qld) Pty Ltd (the Employer) and employed in positions that would
otherwise be covered by the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award 2020. In support of
the application the AMWU filed a statement of Mr Daniel Dougherty, Assistant State Secretary
of the AMWU’s Queensland and Northern Territory Branch, annexing correspondence from
the Employer, and a petition signed by employees.
[4] I conducted a conference with the parties on 26 August 2025. The AMWU appeared, as
did the Employer, which was represented by Ai Group.
[5] The facts underpinning the application were not in contest. The Employer accepted that
a majority of employees sought to bargain. Though it considered it had not been in a position
to positively agree to commence bargaining for reasons set out in the correspondence annexed
to Mr Dougherty’s statement, the Employer did not oppose the majority support determination.
[6] In those circumstances, and having regard to the parties’ submissions and the
uncontested materials before me, I am satisfied that a majority of the relevant employees want
to bargain, the Employer has not yet agreed to bargain, the group that comprises the relevant
employees has been fairly chosen and it is reasonable in all circumstances to make the Majority
Support Determination.
[2025] FWC 2514
DECISION
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[2025] FWC 2514
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[7] In the petition annexed to Mr Dougherty’s application, the last of the signatures were
collected on 22 July 2025. On this basis, I determine the date for the purposes of s.237(2)(a)(i)
to be 22 July 2025.
[8] I am satisfied that the requirements of s.237 of the Fair Work Act have been met, and
having determined that the date for the purposes of sub-paragraph 237(2)(a)(i) is 22 July 2025,
I am required by subsection 237(1) to make a majority support determination.
[9] The determination is issued separately in PR791104.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Appearances:
Ms P. Nguyen and Mr D. Dougherty for the “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing
and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union
(AMWU)
Mr D. Cross of Ai Group for and Ms N. Washbourn of Oji Fibre Solutions (Qld) Pty Ltd
Conference details:
26 August 2025, conference, in-person, Brisbane
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<PR791103>
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Official source: https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/pdf/2025fwc2514.pdf