"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) v Volgren Australia Pty Limited [2024] FWC 1490

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 Volgren Australia Pty Limited (B2024/734) DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON ADELAIDE, 7 JUNE 2024 Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Volgren Australia Pty 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 Volgren Australia Pty Limited (Volgren or Employer). [2] On 6 June 2024, the Commission was advised that the Employer, in effect, did not object to the Application.1 [3] In the circumstances, I have decided to determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing. [4] On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Stephen Fodrocy, Industrial Officer, 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 Volgren, 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. [5] The ballot is to be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). [6] 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 22 July 2024.2 This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act. [7] An Order has been separately issued in PR775775. [2024] FWC 1490 DECISION -- 1 of 2 -- [2024] FWC 1490 2 [8] 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 attendance of all bargaining representatives for 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 <PR775776> 1 I note Volgren provided the Commission with a letter dated 6 June 2024. The letter updated the status of bargaining for the proposed agreement. Further, it also noted a preference for the AEC to conduct the ballot and for the ballot period to be no less than 30 working days, noting the Applicant requested a ballot period of 30 days. 2 This is, in effect, thirty (30) working days from the date of the Order, which is the minimum period required by the AEC to conduct the ballot. -- 2 of 2 --